Dwarf Mongoose

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

With a total length of 38 cm, the dwarf mongoose is the smallest species of mongoose. Adults weigh about 300 g. The colouration of the dwarf mongoose is variable, but it is generally a reddish-buff with specks of brown and grey. The belly is lighter, while the legs and tail are darker. In some, there is a red patch on the throat and chest. Dwarf mongoose have a domed forehead, with short, rounded ears. The muzzle is short, with teeth adapted to an insect diet. The tail tapers to a point. Their fur is short, dense and smooth. They have 2 pairs of mammae, and their anal glands are well-developed.

Dwarf mongooses are diurnal and are gregarious, living in matriarchally organized bands of between 8 and 30 members, and very vocal, communicating with each other continuously with a wide range of twitters and whistles as they scuttle about looking for food. Members of the troop use their incisor teeth to groom either each other or themselves.

The matriarch is the only female who is allowed to breed, and she surpresses sexual activity in the group. The alpha male, who is a rank below her, spends his time at the den atop a termite mound scanning for danger. The social ranking within the rest of the group is based on age, with the youngest individuals having the highest ranks. This highly unusual social arrangement probably assures that the young will get sufficient food without having to compete with the adults. Older members of the pack will help care for and feed the young. They bring food back to the dens, groom and play with, and babysit the younger mongooses. Some of the youngest animals, in addition to the alpha male, are appointed watchers to look for danger while the others groom and play.

Did you know?
that the dwarf mongoose is the smallest carnivore in Africa, with a body length of only about 25 cm?

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	CARNIVORA
Suborder	FISSIPEDIA
Family	HERPESTIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Helogale parvula
Name (English)	Dwarf Mongoose
Name (French)	Mangouste naine
Name (German)	Zwergmanguste
Name (Spanish)	Mangosta enana
Local names	Afrikaans: Dwergmuishond kiSwahili: Nguchiro
CITES Status	Not listed
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Miika Silfverberg

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Eastern and southern Africa
Habitat	Savanah, woodlands, brush country and mountain scrub
Wild population	Unknown, but stable (Red List IUCN 2011)
Zoo population	190 reported to ISIS

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 78 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Schuyler Sheperd

Why do zoos keep this animal

The dwarf mongoose is not an endangered species. Diurnal mongooses are however very attractive species, and because they are always busy and display an interesting social life, are ideal species for educational purposes. In the wild, dwarf mongooses have a symbiotic relationship with Gerrhosaurus lizards, with which they share their burrows, and hornbills or other insectivorous birds, with which they form foraging parties. This cohabitation can easily be demonstrated also at the zoo.

How this animal should be kept

Dwarf mongoose are social animals, which should be kept in pairs or family groups. In temperate and cold climates, up to 6 adults may be kept either in an indoor measuring at least 10 m², or in an indoor enclosure of at least 6 m² with an outdoor enclosure of at least 10 m². It is recommended however to design the enclosures considerably larger –and it should be mandatory for everyone planning a dwarf mongoose exhibit to read Anne Rasa’s fascinating book “Mongoose Watch: A Family Observed” (in German: “Die perfekte Familie”), describing social life and ecology of a group of dwarf mongoose.

Indoor room temperature must be at least 18°C, and humidity should be kept rather low. Hot spots (radiators) should be provided indoors and outdoors.

Enclosures for dwarf mongoose must be furnished with communal sleeping areas with internal nest/den boxes, food and water stations, and covered sleeping/hiding spots, which should be located on the ground. Other relevant features of dwarf mongoose enclosures are look-outs and basking spots. Visual barriers are very important for the good functioning of mongoose groups. Dwarf mongoose benefit from visual barriers such as deadfall, rockwork, etc. which allows more subordinate individuals to escape from constant monitoring by more dominant individuals.

Natural materials should be chosen as substrates for dwarf mongoose because they allow for natural digging behaviour, are easy on their feet, and certain materials will help to maintain good nail condition and length. Substrates can be placed on concrete floors to facilitate periodic cleaning; in this case, all substrate should be removed at least once a year for cleaning and disinfecting of the surface below. Where it is not possible to provide sufficient natural substrate, a digging area with drainage is recommended. Hollow logs may also serve this purpose.

Food should consist of mice, one-day old chicks, chopped meat, scattered eggs, insects, worms and chopped fruit. The animals must at all times have access to clean drinking water.

All faecal material and unconsumed food should be removed daily. Sanitation of feeding stations should take place at least every other day, daily is preferred. Sanitation of water containers, including bowls, water bottles, and other water features should take place at least weekly. Sanitation of latrine areas should take place at least once weekly, more often if necessary. Mongoose scent mark their enclosure. When cleaning, some of the scent-marking areas should not be sanitized.