A small, lively carnivore native to the open grasslands and semi-arid scrublands of southern Africa, particularly in countries like South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Known for its alert posture, bushy tail, and curious nature, the yellow mongoose is a familiar sight in dry, open landscapes, often darting through short grass or sunbathing near the entrance to its burrow. Despite its modest size, this mongoose plays an important role in the ecosystem and is full of character.

True to their name, their fur is usually a golden-yellow to reddish color, with lighter underparts and a distinct white tip on the tail. Their pointed faces, small ears, and sharp eyes give them a fox-like appearance, and they are built for speed and agility.

Yellow mongooses are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, especially in the cooler hours of morning and late afternoon. They are often seen standing on their hind legs to scan for predators—like jackals, eagles, and snakes—or listening for signs of prey. Their diet consists mainly of insects, especially termites and beetles, but they also eat small mammals, reptiles, birds, eggs, and occasionally fruit or berries. Their varied diet makes them excellent pest controllers in agricultural areas.

One of the most interesting features of the yellow mongoose is its social behavior. In some areas, they are solitary or live in small family groups, while in others they form looser colonies, often sharing burrow systems with meerkats or ground squirrels. These burrows are essential for shelter, raising young, and escaping the heat of the day. A single burrow system may have multiple entrances and be used by several individuals or even generations.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Angola

2015

Botswana

2015

Lesotho

2015

Possibly Extinct

Namibia

2015

South Africa

2015

Zimbabwe

2015