Life Cycle of Mongoose Animals

The mongoose is found in Africa, Asia and parts of Europe, and recently was artificially introduced to the Caribbean. It belongs to the arnivora order of the herpesidae family. The mongoose resembles the meerkat and weasel in appearance, is a mammal and eats plants and animals. It is believed there are about 30 species of mongoose, some working together as teams to defend themselves. The different species vary in size, breeding habits and habitat choices. Some are terrestrial, some are semi-aquatic and some live in treetops.

  1. Dwarf Mongoose

    • The dwarf mongoose, the smallest African mongoose species, is no more than 11 inches in length and weighs 7 to 13 ounces. The dwarf mongoose will breed two to three times a year, generally between October and May, the rainy season in Africa. This species lives in groups of about 30, with a dominant male and female. Only the dominant female will breed. The gestation period lasts 49 to 56 days, resulting in up to six offspring. Babies are weaned when they are about 1 1/2 months old. A young mongoose will start going out with the group at 6 months and reaches sexual maturity by age 3. Life expectancy for this species is about 8 years.

    Yellow Mongoose

    • The yellow mongoose is found in heavily populated areas in such southern African nations as South Africa, Namibia, Angola and Zimbabwe. The species live in colonies of about 20 members in permanent underground burrows. The yellow mongoose is a small mammal, about 13 inches in length and weighing 16 to 29 ounces. The social order of the group consists of a breeding pair, their recent offspring and other older adults. Mating occurs between July and September, gestation ranges from 42 to 57 days and the litter consists of up to two offspring. Weaning takes place at 10 weeks and the young are fully grown by 10 months old. Life expectancy is 15 years in captivity, less in the wild.

    Slender Mongoose

    • The slender mongoose is one of the more common species, measuring up to 16 inches in length and weighing about 16 to 25 ounces. It inhabits the savannah and parts of the semi-arid plains of the sub-Sahara. The slender mongoose is able to live alone or in pairs, and is not known to be territorial. Breeding can take place several times a year and gestation lasts 60 to 70 days. The litter consists of one to three offspring and the young are the sole responsibility of the female. The babies' eyes open by 3 weeks. They begin eating solids at 4 weeks, when they leave the nest. Weaning takes place at 7 to 9 weeks old and the young are independent by 10 weeks. Life expectancy for the species is about 10 years.

    Banded Mongoose

    • The banded mongoose is a large, sturdy species, with a body length of up to 18 inches and weighing 3 to 5.5 pounds. Found in the open savannahs and forests of Africa, the species live in mixed groups of seven to 40 members. The gestation period ranges from 60 to 70 days, after which the female gives birth to up to five offspring. The young are kept underground for the first four weeks of their life and are tended by adults in the group. At 4 weeks of age, the young are allowed to forage for food, accompanied by an escort. At 3 months, the young become nutritionally independent. Life expectancy is about 12 years in captivity.