Reproduction

Only the dominant female is allowed to breed. In the event a subordinate female breeds the dominant individual often kills the young.

A litter may include up to six young. The matriarch will produce two or three litters each year. These are born after a 55 day gestation period.

The pups are nursed on milk for up to 45 days. All members of the group contribute to the care of the young. They will bring food to the den for the pups.

At six months old the pups will begin to move around with their pack.

Females reach sexual maturity at 1.3 years old with males maturing later around 3 years old. Often the social pressures of dwarf mongoose society prevent females from mating till 3 years old.

Behavior

A family of dwarf mongoose will include 12 to 15 members which maintain a home range. Inside this range are a number of termite mounds which are used as their den sites and lookout posts. They regularly move through their range.

Females are in charge within a mongoose family. They will initiate movement within the group and have the first rights over food. Younger animals rank higher than older animals. It is thought this ensures that the young are fed.

Dwarf mongoose enjoy a mutualistic relationship with hornbills where they work together to find food and warn each other of predators.

They mark their territory through scent. To mark their territory they complete a handstand.

These animals are active by day. In the morning they will sunbake.

While foraging they maintain constant communication. They make a range of vocalizations including whistles and twitters. Each predator they encounter has a different alarm call so the family know how to avoid the danger.

A bird known as the fork-tailed drongo has learnt to mimic the dwarf mongoose and will copy its alarm call. This causes the mongoose to flee to safety and the drongo can then steal its food.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the dwarf mongoose include birds of prey such as the marabou stork, lizards, larger mongoose such as the gray mongoose, jackals and snakes.

They are always alert to their surroundings and males will keep a lookout. If any suspicious activity is detected he lets out an alarm call. To assist with this lookout he climbs a termite mound.

Currently no major threats are recognized to this species and their population is considered stable. In some areas they steal eggs from farms and are seen as a pest.

Quick facts

Dwarf mongoose are the smallest mongoose species and the smallest carnivore in Africa.

These animals have shown a level of immunity to the neurotoxic venom of snakes.