The mongoose is a sleek, agile mammal belonging to the family Herpestidae. Most types of mongoose usually have long bodies, short legs, and tapering tails, with fur that ranges from grey-brown to sandy, often marked with grizzled patterns or faint stripes. Its pointed snout and small, rounded ears give it a weasel-like appearance. Many species are renowned for their bold behaviour, including their ability to confront and even defeat venomous snakes.
Mongoose
Zone
Asia
Scientific name
Mungos mungo
IUCN Red List status
Least Concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Mongoose are found in the Savannahs and open forests near water, as well as dry, thorny bushland in East, Southeast and South-Central Africa. There are also mongoose populations in the northern savannahs of West Africa.
Dietary Requirements
Carnivore: The Mongoose diet consists of insects, myriapods, small reptiles, birds and ticks off warthogs.
Threats
Accidental persecution through poisoning, controlled burning, and infectious disease.
Conservation
Present in many protected areas across their wide range on the African continent.
Did you know?They can break into hard food items by throwing them at objects such as a stone.
A group is called a “pack or “mob”.
A group is called a “pack or “mob”.
About Al Ain Zoo
About Al Ain Zoo
A Pioneering Vision
Established in 1968 by the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Al Ain Zoo has been in the forefront of preserving the region’s wildlife and delicate ecosystem, while caring for hundreds of endangered animals.
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