Banded Mongoose

Studies about the status of the banded mongoose species published in 2016 indicate that the species is in a very healthy state and of "least concern." Population densities are inconsistent but higher overall in areas with more cover compared to grassland or savanna areas, represented by data from the Serengeti in Tanzania and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Their population is considered stable, despite the exact numbers being unknown.

They are very conventional mongooses because they are usually found near termite mounds or water sources, where they might have a higher chance of encountering prey. Savanna areas with scattered trees or woodland areas are where these animals occur. Unlike dwarf mongooses, these animals do not like to be out in the open very often, preferring undergrowth in which they are less vulnerable and able to take cover when necessary. Their diets consist almost solely of invertebrates like beetles or millipedes, along with the family favorite – termites.

Groups or packs are usually up to 35 members large but rise to twice that number in some areas of the Kruger National Park. There is no reproductively dominant pair of banded mongoose that exclusively mate. Instead, around four females breed with roughly the same number of males in each pack to complete the pairs. The oldest pair, however, still typically governs and leads the pack, making up the peak of the hierarchy in such a group and maintaining social order. Such a group's home range or territory size is typically around 80 ha (0.8 square kilometers).

These territorial animals are most active during the day, when they drink water, catch insects from under rocks or within tree stumps, or even mate or groom one another. They spend their nights sleeping within burrows, only coming out of their cozy shelters after one member has looked around outside and given the go-ahead that it is indeed safe. Then begins their long day of foraging, where they scurry for up to 10km in search of insects and water, led by a single senior female. Food with hard shells – like some millipedes – is generally thrown against a nearby rock to kill it before feasting upon its flesh, a primitive way of using a rock as a tool, much like other primates do.

The annual periods in which banded mongoose pairs mate is usually the same year after year within a pack, but not necessarily between different groups. However, the goal is usually to give birth to young during the rainy season. Before copulation, a male may spread his scent vigorously from his anal glands wherever he goes. Pairs will then chase each other and finally mate. Two months after the female's six-day ovulation cycle, she will give birth to around four new pack members and may do this as many as four times a year from the age of 11 months, the age at which she reaches sexual maturity.

They are some of the most impressive animals when it comes to self-defense. They engage in special mobbing attacks on their attackers. Using their erect postures while standing on their hind legs, they synchronize their forward movements and wiggling motions from side to side, sometimes scaring off predators much larger than themselves. Jackals and predatory birds are some of the more easily intimidated enemies of the banded mongoose, while servals, caracals, and wild dogs are more dangerous. They also use this effective method of defense when they feel threatened by other non-carnivorous animals like antelope or bird species.