Size: Length; 55-60cm. Weight; 1-1.5kg.

Habitat and Distribution: This animal lives in a wide range of habitats from grasslands, woodlands, rocky and riverine areas throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They do not live in desert.

Groups and Breeding: This is a social animal living in groups of 10-20 individuals (although be as many as 40 individuals). They will forage separately but will hunt for larger prey (such as snakes) in a pack. Groups are made up of 3-4 breeding females and as many breeding males plus other non-breeding individuals which are suppressed by the breeding females. All individuals take part in caring for the young and elderly.

Females give birth after a gestation of 60 days to 2-6 blind, hairless young. After 10 days the young open their eyes and after 2 weeks develop fur. They will accompany adults after 5 weeks.

Diet: Mainly insects, but also small reptiles, mammals and birds, eggs and some fruits.

• When they eat toads or caterpillars, they will roll them on the ground to get rid of any poisonous substances in their skin or to remove the bristles from their body.
• If a group of mongoose is attacked or senses danger, and it is not easy to escape, they will push the young and elderly into the centre of the group and stand sentry around them to protect them.
• Groups of Banded Mongoose are generally nomadic, staying in one area for no longer than a few weeks at a time.
• Breeding is often synchronised so that all females in a group give birth at the same time, meaning that young can be nursed by any lactating female.
• Less than 50% of baby Banded Mongoose survive to 3 months of age.