Banded Mongoose
Afrikaans name: Gebande Muishond

Banded Mongoose
Photo © Steven Herbert
Mungos mungo
Interesting facts about the Banded Mongoose
The Banded Mongoose is a fairly common mongoose in suitable habitat up the east coast of South Africa.
When you see one Banded Mongoose you likely to see lots more. Typically they are found in clans of 20 or more. Most mongooses are found singly or in pairs, but not these little guys.
These animals feed on a wide variety of foods including insects, small reptiles and birds, eggs and many other things. They are quite fond of scavenging in rubbish bins when an opportunity arises.
Quite often a group of Banded Mongooses will make a burrow in a termite mound.
Females give birth to 2 to 6 youngsters and the pups are guarded in the den by 'babysitters'. Multiple females in the group give birth to their babies on the same day.
References and further reading
Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 105Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 204
Wild Issue 40 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 40
Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 66
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 82
The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 160
Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 80
Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 86
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 418
Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 129
Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 37
Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 60
Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 306
Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 83
Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 132
Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 260
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 40
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 132
An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 89
A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 48