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Tsala Trails Journal

Africa's smallest carnivore | On foot in the African Bush Part V

  • Oct 19, 2024
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jan 16


The Common Dwarf Mongoose only measures about 18-30cm and weighs around 275g. But the fact they can easily be overlooked doesn’t mean they should be!


Dwarf mongoose are highly social and territorial animals that live in troops of up to 32 individuals. They prefer environments with termite mounds that they can use as den sites, lookout posts and food sources. Their home range can be up to 1 square km with at least 20 termite mounds and their territories are passed down through generations of mongoose!



Dwarf Mongoose outside of den site on a termite mound


Dwarf mongoose will use anal and cheek secretions to mark upright objects around the termite mounds they use as shelter. The group is led by a monogamous breeding pair and the highest ranking member is the older, dominant female. In the morning, the dominant male will pop out of the den and scan the surroundings to make sure it is safe. He will then also mark each member of the troop with the same anal secretion so that they recognize each other by scent as they go about their day: this is called allomarking.


Dwarf mongoose are diurnal animals: once the sun is high enough in the sky, they leave the comfort of their den to warm up outside. They always start their day sunbathing and socializing as a group first before wandering about. The troop will also forage as a group but each individual catches its own food: there’s no sharing! Their diet mostly consists of insects but they will also eat eggs, small rodents and young birds. 


Since they are (as the name suggests) very small and cannot see each other as they move through tall grass, they communicate via constant contact squeaks.



Dwarf Mongoose with Crested Francolin


You will often see dwarf mongoose with ground-dwelling birds, especially hornbills. But here, they were joined by a crested francolin! The mongoose have a mutualistic relationship with their feathered friends: the birds catch any insects disturbed by the mongoose’s activity and they serve as extra pairs of eyes on the lookout for predators. 


While the troop is out foraging, there will always be a babysitter who stays at the den site. Although only the dominant pair reproduce, the other pack members still help take care of the pups. They will rotate throughout the day so that everyone has a chance to forage for food. Snakes especially are a constant threat to the pups and if one is spotted, the babysitter will sound the alarm and mob the reptile while the pups are moved to safety. Although not completely immune, mongoose have a fascinating adaptation to their nervous system which makes adults relatively resistant to snake venom.


Dwarf mongoose appoint sentinels throughout the day to be on lookout and keep the troop safe as they hunt for insects in the tall grass. The sentinel will climb onto a termite mound, rocky outcrop or dead tree to have a better view. The mongoose have a range of alarm calls: based on the threat, they will make a specific sound and the group will react accordingly. They always keeps a place of refuge - such as a den below a termite mound - in sight so they can rush to safety if needed. 


Not all members of the group are related and when someone new joins, they are not immediately trusted with the role of sentinel. It can take up to 5 months before they spend as much time as the others on lookout! The more the group trust the sentinel, the more they will keep their head down as they forage. The dominant pair are considered the most reliable. 


Being a sentinel comes at a cost: since dwarf mongoose don’t share food, the one on guard duty loses his opportunity to forage. But at the end of the day, the troop will socialize again at their burrow entrance and the sentinel will be rewarded with allogrooming.



Giant Plated Lizard


Now what does a lizard have to do with dwarf mongoose? 


Well, these small carnivores don’t just befriend ground-dwelling birds: they also have a mutualistic relationship with the Giant Plated Lizard. The lizard helps keep the mongoose den hygienic… by eating their faeces! The troop gets a free housekeeper and in exchange, the lizard gets extra nutrients. 


By hanging around the troop, the reptile also benefits from their tight security system to warn him of any danger. 


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