Mongoose Behavior

Mongoose live mainly in Africa and Asia and vary widely in size. Ranging from 7 inches to 2 feet in length depending on species, mongooses share many behavioral traits. Mongooses generally have long thin bodies with thick tails, short legs and pointed snouts. They all tend to have common coloring, ranging from brown to grayish, with some species having striped markings as well.

  1. Hunting behavior

    • All species of mongoose are carnivores and hunt with a level of aggression and bravery that has become synonymous with the animals. They use agility and pure speed to subdue prey which, depending on species, can include anything from insects to large reptiles, fish, mammals and birds. The Egyptian mongoose is the largest of the mongoose species and is known to be able to hunt and kill deadly cobras. It is not immune to the venom but is able to predict the snake's strikes and avoid them before launching an attack of its own on the snake's neck.

    Social Behavior

    • The social structure of the mongoose varies with species. Some live in large family groups of more than 50 individuals and will hunt in packs. Other species live a solitary lifestyle or will partner up with a mate. The animals have an amusing way of keeping members of a group from getting lost while moving around which is learned from a young age. Young mongooses will follow their mother with their noses pressed against her rear end to help them orientate. With several offspring this becomes a chain of animals moving nose to tail. This behavior is so instinctive that individual mongooses will sometimes put their nose under their own tails.

    Lifestyle Behavior

    • Most mongoose types are terrestrial, living their lives on the ground and in burrows that can be large underground networks of tunnels. Some species such as the slender mongoose are adapted for climbing and can be found in trees. This mongoose is a good climber and has been compared to squirrels for its climbing skill. Species such as the marsh mongoose live a semi-aquatic lifestyle and have adapted to have a waterproof, double-layer coat. In addition to their speed, most species have developed the ability to excrete a foul smelling liquid from their rear ends to deter predators and protect themselves.

    Breeding Behavior

    • Mongooses reach sexual maturity between 4 months and 2 years of age, depending on species. Solitary mongooses come together to breed, while groups might have dominant breeding pairs such as the case with the dwarf mongoose. The young are born in burrow nests and are generally helpless, blind and bald at birth. The mother cares for the young, sustaining the babies on her milk like all mammals do. As mentioned earlier, when the young leave the nest they stay close to their mother, following her scent glands.