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

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

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

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

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

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 82

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maberlys 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: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 418

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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