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• Mongooses

Mongooses

There are a few different species of mongooses that occur in the Kruger National Park, some of which are very rarely seen. We have added the three most common species on this page:

Dwarf Mongoose
(Helogale Parvula)

Dwarf mongooses are extremely small and look almost like dark mice with fat tails. You often see them at the side of the road in small groups. As you approach they scurry into the grass, but if you are patient they will generally appear within seconds and come sit right next to the vehicle. They are very inquisitive. They prefer open savannas with many termite mounds or other shelter places, and in Kruger these are generally found in the Pretoriuskop Sourveld and Mopane/Bushwillow Woodlands ecozones.

Banded Mongoose
(Mungos Mungo)

Banded mongooses are larger and lighter in colour than dwarf mongooses, but also life in large groups. They also use termite mounds for shelter from time to time. You could see them virtually anywhere in the Park, but I have often seen them running along the fence (on the outside) in Skukuza, down by the riverfront. They are known to stand up to snakes and even kill them, and to break birds' eggs by throwing it against rocks.

Slender Mongoose
(Galerella Sanguinea)

Slender mongooses don't live in groups like dwarf and banded mongooses do. They are generally seen along and for only a split second as they cross the road, for they are very shy. They typically have a bright reddish-brown colour and a very long, thin tail with a black tuft at the end. You may encounter them throughout most of the park.

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