Mongoose

Hi,

This small but aggressive animal caught my attention when I visited Malkia Park this summer. That's why I decided to find out more about him and I'm happy to share my information with you. Today I will write about the Fox Mongoose.

My children and I stood at the mongoose enclosure for a long time. It was also because we came here just in time for feeding. The caretaker gave out a few caterpillars to interested visitors from the line of visitors, and we gradually threw them into the enclosure. The mongooses immediately started eating. However, one of them was still on guard. She stood on her hind legs and watched us and the surroundings. It's a reflex, because that's exactly what mongooses do in the wild.

The fox mongoose lives in non-forested areas and semi-deserts in the south of the African continent. We can find them in the Republic of South Africa, Namibia or Zambia. It is a small, fast animal that lives in family groups. As you can see in the photos. It is related to civets, felines, but also hyenas.

It is interesting that, despite the fact that mongooses live in groups, only the dominant pair reproduces. The female gives birth to 1-5 cubs and other family members help with the upbringing. The dominant male really enjoys his dominance. He bites his subjects, marks them. They seem to bow before him, fall on their sides, lick him. There is a clear hierarchy.

They feed primarily on insects, smaller reptiles, amphibians, but they also do not disdain eggs or plant shoots. They are brave and are not afraid even of a poisonous snake. Thanks to their speed, they can avoid the attacks of the snake and its teeth, and can even overpower and eat it.

Mongooses have an unmistakable place in the African fauna. Their way of life and social behavior make them unique and extremely interesting animals for both scientists and the lay public.

Thank you.