Mungos mungo
banded mongoose

The banded mongoose is native to Africa, and is mainly distributed south of the Sahara. This range extends across Africa, from Gambia to northeastern Ethiopia, and down to South Africa.

The banded mongoose has a broad habitat tolerance. They inhabit various terrains including grasslands, woodlands, rocky country (Hinton & Dunn, 1967), and riverine areas (Skinner & Smithers, 1990). However, the banded mongoose is not found in desert or semi-desert areas (Skinner & Smithers, 1990).

The banded mongoose is considered a small mongoose, as adults reach approximately 550 to 600mm in total body length. Tail length is usually about half the length of the head and body (Skinner & Smithers, 1990). The banded mongoose is distinguishable from other species by a series of black bands across the back, between the mid-back and the base of the tail. The feet and the tip of the tail are also usually dark, and the rest of the coat matches the lighter color of the fur between the black bands on the back. The body color may range from whitish to reddish-brown, with variation among specimens (Skinner & Smithers, 1990).

The dental formula is I:3/3 C:1/1 P:3/3 M:2/2 = 36 The cheek teeth tend to have low, rounded cusps, with the carnassials being better adapted to crushing than slicing (Skinner & Smithers, 1990). The muzzle is pointed with a small rhinarium, and the upper lip is intact.

There are 5 digits on the front foot, all with long and curved claws that are used for scratching and digging. The hind foot has 4 digits, each also bearing a claw. The claws on the hind feet are generally shorter, heavier, and less curved (Skinner & Smithers, 1990).

There is no apparent sexual dimorphism.

Females have three pairs of abdominal mammae.

The banded mongoose is diurnal and gregarious, living in packs which typically vary in number from 10 to 20 members (Hinton & Dunn, 1967). The pack will usually stay together in the same area as a group, but forage for food individually. However, the banded mongoose has been observed hunting cooperatively to kill more formidable prey, such as large sand snakes (Hinton & Dunn, 1967). As the pack travels and forages, characteristic individual foraging behavior is to hold the nose close to the ground, and every few moment stop to scratch or dig (Skinnr & Smithers, 1990). There is little intraspecific aggression observed during foraging, since food seems to be the primary concern of each individual. Any disputes which may arise over food are yielded to the more dominant pack member (Skinner & Smithers, 1990).

The social organization within packs of banded mongooses has not been studied or recorded in detail, but appears to be matriarchal system (Skinner & Smithers, 1990). Packs not only care for their young communally, they also take care of their invalids and elderly. The pack will look after the less capable members by warning then of danger, grooming them, and offering them preferred access to food (Skinner & Smithers, 1990). When the pack is in danger, they will scatter if the terrain allows for a quick and easy escape. If the area does not allow an easy escape, they may bunch up, pushing the youngest members towards the center of the bunch. When danger is sensed, the individual sensing it will vocalize a high pitched warning chitter, which upon hearing the pack will freeze, and given members will rise to a full standing position to asses the situation. If the pack cannot slip away quietly, and they become scattered, all members will begin chittering to keep in communication, the vocalizations becoming more high pitched the more scattered the group becomes (Skinner & Simpson, 1990).

As a pack, the banded mongoos are somewhat nomadic in that they will not stay in one particular den or sheltering area for vary long, usually not more than a few days or weeks at the most. They may, however, stay at a fovored location a little longer, and will often return to a favorite den or shelter site and re-use it repeatedly (Skinner & Smithers, 1990).

From observations and analyses of stomach contents, the banded mongoose apears to be mainly insectivorous. The diet is augmented, however, with the soft-bodied invertebrates found while scratching in debris, vegetable matter in the form of wild fruits, reptiles such as lizards and snakes, and occasionally other smaller vertebrates ranging from rats and mice to birds and their eggs (Hinton & Dunn, 1967). When hard objects such as eggs or snails are encountered, the banded mongoose will either throw the object vertically or backwards between its hind legs into a stone or other hard object in order to break it sufficiently (Hinton & Dunn, 1967). Small items are simply picked up in the mouth and eaten, while larger objects may be held in the front paws and then pulled apart. When dealing with toads or hairy caterpillars, the mongoose will often roll them around on the ground and paw at them repeatedly, a behavior that aids in removing noxious secretions or bristles, before eating (Skinner & Smithers, 1990).

Many other species may be carriers of diseases or parasites that may cause problems for humans. However there are no data available about this area specifically regarding the banded mongoose.

Have been shown to become tame pets when hand raised.

The banded mongoose is currently widespread, and is not in danger (OregonZoo.com, 1999, Internet).