Cynictis penicillata
The lithe little Yellow Mongoose can grow to lengths of up to 75cm, and adults weigh from 440 to 900g. They inhabit a wide variety of open habitats, from semi-desert scrub to grasslands and savannas. They are independent of drinking water, and feed mainly on insects, other invertebrates, rodents, small birds and reptiles and frogs, and occasionally carrion and fruit. They have been known to raid chicken runs.
Yellow Mongooses are diurnal and live in colonies that number from 5 to 50, lead by a dominant breeding pair. Within their home ranges, colonies usually have several extensive burrow systems that they normally dig themselves, but often share with meerkats and ground squirrels. They usually forage alone and when threatened while out foraging they will hide in any available thicket or hole.
Litters of 1 to 5 pups are usually born in the summer, and while it is usually only the dominant pair that breeds, all group members assist with the care of the babies. Yellow Mongooses’ main predators are raptors and jackals, while snakes and monitor lizards will take babies from the burrows. Yellow Mongooses are notorious carriers of rabies. They have a natural life expectancy of about 12 years.
Yellow Mongooses occur in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and marginally into adjacent areas of Angola and Zimbabwe. They occur all over South Africa, with the exception of the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo and the coastal plain of Kwazulu-Natal. The IUCN lists the species as being of least concern.
DeWetsWild 
Nice mongoose photos, they have plenty them in the wild on Oahu
I think mongooses may be one of the world’s most widely distributed kinds of mammals. Welcome here!
They are just adorable I alwYs tease my Bellarina that she looks like one always dancing on back feet lol great pictures always love when so get time to lose myself in your great adventures THANKYOU …ELLE
These little guys are so inquisitive, and seem to be always on the go!
Skatlike diertjie met sy wakker ogies.Pragtige foto’s, Dries!
Baie dankie, Dina!
Hi guys.Great photos. The mongoose crossing the road reminds me of a small dog – very alert and intellligent looking!
Thank you, Kim!
How cute are they!
Very, especially when they’re standing up straight!
😀😀
Going to SA soon, we will definitely be on the lookout for these guys! Thanks for publishing your great shots and all the info about them, very interesting to read 😃
I’m sure you are very excited about your upcoming visit – looking forward to hearing your impressions of our beautiful country!
Sweet! We both love your country and have been there several times. This time will be for our website 🙂
Another beautiful animal I never seen before. 🙂 It reminds of a meerkat when it stands up. maybe relatives?
Indeed John – the meerkat is probably our best known species of mongoose.
It seems like mongooses always seem to have a part of many types of related animals that look like them…
They do have qualities of both the cat and dog family, don’t they Cayenne?
It sure looks like it!
fascinating, they seem to be closely related to meerkats in behaviour and activity. Is there a link?
Indeed Julie – the meerkat (or suricate) is probably our best known species of mongoose.
Arrhh i never knew that
Fascinating, de Wets. Great shots and information.
Thanks a lot, Jane!
Cute little guys! 🙂
To everyone except chickens!