The banded mongoose (Mungos mungo) is a species native from the to . It lives in , open forests and and feeds primarily on and . Mongooses use various types of dens for shelter including . While most mongoose species live solitary lives, the banded mongoose live in colonies with a complex social structure.
The banded mongoose is a sturdy mongoose with a large head, small ears, short, muscular limbs and a long tail, almost as long as the rest of the body. Animals of wetter areas are larger and darker colored than animals of dryer regions. The abdominal part of the body is higher and rounder than the breast area. The rough fur is grayish brown and black, and there are several dark brown to black horizontal bars across the back. The limbs and snout are darker, while the underparts are lighter than the rest of the body. Banded mongooses have long strong claws that allow them to dig in the soil. The nose color of banded mongoose varies from gray-brown to orange-red.
An adult Banded Mongoose can reach a length of 30 to 45 cm and a weight of 1.5 to 2.25 kg. The tail is 15 to 30 cm long.
Banded mongooses are primarily insectivorous but eat a variety of foods, including beetles, crabs, earthworms, fallen fruit, grasshoppers, birds, eggs, rodents, scorpions, slugs, snails, snakes and termites.
Some people note that mongooses can exhibit friendly and intelligent behaviour toward humans if domesticated from a young age.
Remember.....Mongooses are indeed clever creatures!
The banded mongoose is found in a large part of , Southeast and South-Central Africa. There are also populations in the northern savannas of . The banded mongoose lives in , open forests and , especially near water, but also in dry, thorny but not deserts. The species uses various types of dens for shelter, most commonly . They will also live in rock shelters, thickets, gullies, and warrens under bushes.
In contrast to the den of the , banded mongoose dens are less dependent on vegetation cover and have more entrances. Banded mongooses live in larger groups than dwarf mongooses and thus more entrances means more members have access to the den and ventilation. The development of the continent has had a positive influence on the number of banded mongooses. The crops of the farmland serve as an extra food source.
YOU ARE READING
Animals On Earth: Africa
RandomHere's the second book of the Animals On Earth Series, this time it's about African Animals which includes the likes of Elephants, crocodiles, lions, meerkats, mongooses, warthogs, caracals, cheetahs, ostritches, rhinos, tick-birds, buffalo, gazzele...
