Yellow Mongoose

Cynictis penicillata

Classification  Range  Habitat  Diet  Natural History  Reproduction  Links

Classification

                                                                          Kingdom: Animalia

                                                                              Phylum: Chordata

                                                                                  Subphylum: Vertebrata

                                                                                       Class: Mammalia

                                                                                           Order: Carnivora

                                                                                               Family: Herpestidae

                                                                                                   Genus: Cynictis

                                                                                                        Species: Cynictis penicillata

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Range

  The Yellow mongoose is a widespread animal throughout the southern tip of Africa.  The countries and provinces that its range encompasses include:

                                                       Namibia                                                      Western Transvaal

                                                       Botswana                                                    Zimbabwe

                                                       The Orange Free State                               Cape Providence

                                                       Northwestern Natal

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Habitat

The Yellow Mongoose inhabits open, semi-arid areas such as grasslands, scrub and semi-deserts.

  Yellow Mongoose are rarely found in deserts, forests and mountainous regions

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Diet

The Yellow Mongoose is primarily a insectivorous carnivore, though they routinely take advantage of various other food sources.

  The diet of the Yellow Mongoose is known to include:

                                                  Beetles                              Ants                              Amphibians

                                                  Termites                            Mice                              Eggs

                                                  Locusts                              Birds                              Grass

                                                  Caterpillars                        Reptiles                       Seeds

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Natural History

 Physical Description

  Northern Populations:  Smaller with grayish-yellow coat and grizzled appearance.  Shorter tail without white tip.  Shorter, thinner coat   

   Southern Populations:  Larger with tawny to yellow coat.  Long, white-tipped tails.  Long, thick coat.

  Behavior

   Yellow Mongoose are social animals living in groups from 5 to 20 individuals

   Diurnal (active during the day), though they have been seen outside of their burrows at night

  Yellow Mongoose build and inhabit complex permanent burrows which they may share with meerkats  and ground squirrels during times when food is plentiful

  Interactions with Humans

Positive:  Yellow Mongoose are effective at controlling insect and rodent populations

  Negative:  Yellow Mongoose are the most common rabies vector in Southern Africa.  Many farmers seal the burrows and pump toxic gas (cyanide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide) into the burrows to kill the mongoose and protect their livestock from rabies infection.

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Reproduction

Mating Season:  July to September

Gestation Period:  42 to 57 days

Birth Season:  August to November (possibly into January)

Litter Size:  1-4 young per season

Den type: Cleared out section of burrow with no bedding material

Weaning: 10 weeks

Sexual Maturity: 1 year of age

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Links

                                                Animal Diversity Web: Cynictis penicillata: Information

                                                Lioncrusher's Domain -- Yellow Mongoose (Cynictis penicillata)

                                                Yellow Mongoose - African Burrowing Animals

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For more information, contact the Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison

Page created by: Erin Brown
PJC Zoo Animal Technology Program
Fall 2004