African Unusual Animals: Yellow Mongoose

Sometimes referred to as the red meerkat, this mongoose tends to be around 20 inches in length and gets up to a weight of only around one pound. They are typically found only in the very southern countries of the African continent, including South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia. Listed as a mongoose of least mongoose concern, their diet typically consists of eggs, bugs, other small mammals as well as lizards and snakes. They are known to live with other species of small burrowing animals including Cape Ground Squirrels and Suricates, all of whom work to maintain the burrow, even adding additional tunnels and exits as required. Colonies of Yellow Mongooses can have as many as 20-40 members which typically are older offspring of a central breeding pair, as well as elderly relatives. Each day the alpha male will mark all the members of his colony in various ways including urine. He also will mark nearby trees and rocks to form his territory. Predators of the yellow mongoose can include jackals, birds of prey, snakes and more. When threatened the mongoose can make several distinct noises including barking, screaming and purring. Mating seasons tend to be between July and September with birth occurring underground between October and December. There is usually a dedicated chamber in the burrow system that is used for birthing. Young are weaned from their mother at 10 weeks and reach adulthood around 10 months.