Yellow Mongoose

Afrikaans name: Witkwasmuishond

A Yellow Mongoose on the lookout for danger

Photo © Steven Herbert

Cynictus penicillata

Find out about the Yellow Mongoose

Yellow Mongooses are only found in southern Africa. They prefer areas of grassland or scrubland.

They are mainly active during the day. They spend most of their day foraging for food items such as small reptiles, birds' eggs and insects. They can often be seen listening to something under the surface and then hurriedly digging it out.

The Yellow Mongoose is normally seen by itself but they do live in colonies of up to 20 individuals. Their home is a permanent burrow and they do not object to sharing their living quarters with other species.

Mating occurs during late winter and early spring and the young are born in summer. Normally the female has two babies.

Above - Note the lighter tip to the tail

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 204

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 98

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 22

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 68

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 32

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 326

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 150

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 82

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 320

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 72

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 79

Predators of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Grobler, Hall-Martin & Walker - Published: 2012 - Page: 77

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 62

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 33

Maberly s Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 156

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 122

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 418

Guide to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park - Author: Gus Mills and Clem Haagner - Published: 1996 - Page: 60

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 142

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 252

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 248

Chris and Tilde Stuart s Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Ed - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 142

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 83

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 110

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 47

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 214

A Field Guide to the Eastern Cape Coast - Author: R. Lubke, F. Gess & M. Bruton - Published: 1988 - Page: 309

Is a Meerkat a Mongoose?

SANBI

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