The smallest African carnivore, a lively, social little mammal that roams the savannas, woodlands, and dry scrublands of eastern and southern Africa. Despite its tiny size, the common dwarf mongoose is packed with energy, curiosity, and surprising boldness. These mongooses have sleek, short brown or reddish-brown fur, short legs, and sharp claws perfect for digging and foraging. Intelligent, alert eyes brighten their round faces, and they often stand upright on their hind legs to get a better view of their surroundings, looking like tiny sentinels of the savanna.
Foraging takes up most of their day. They primarily eat insects — termites, beetles, grasshoppers — but they will also eat small reptiles, spiders, eggs, and even berries. As they move across their territory, they keep in constant vocal communication, using an intricate system of chirps, whistles, and growls to stay connected, warn of predators, and coordinate movements. A designated sentinel usually watches from a high vantage point like a termite mound or a bush, giving alarm calls if danger approaches.
Common dwarf mongooses have a special relationship with hornbills! Sometimes, they team up with hornbills while foraging — the hornbills eat insects flushed out by the mongooses, and in return, the birds help watch for aerial predators, creating a mutual benefit partnership in the wild.
At night, dwarf mongooses return to safe, communal sleeping sites, which are often abandoned termite mounds or hollow logs. They huddle together for warmth and protection, often sleeping in a tight ball with heads and tails intertwined.
Despite their tiny size, these mongooses are bold defenders. If a predator like a snake or a bird of prey threatens the group, several members will mob together, growling and lunging to intimidate the attacker. Their strength in numbers and bravery often save them from would-be predators.
Distribution
Angola
Botswana
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Djibouti
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gambia
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Somalia
South Africa
Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
ZambiaAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Group
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
