The banded mongoose is a small species that typically measures about 30 to 45 centimeters in length. Their rough fur is dark and grayish brown, with black and tan stripes going down its back. They have quite large heads compared to other mongoose subspecies and have small ears, a long tail, strong claws, and short limbs.

The banded mongoose has darker fur and features on the back of its body, with its underparts being lighter. Those who live in drier areas are usually smaller and lighter in color compared to those in wetter regions. The banded mongooses’ tails can range from 15 to 30 centimeters long and they weigh 3 to 5 pounds.

Banded mongooses live in savannas and open grasslands and forests, preferably near water. The countries they inhabit include but are not limited to Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria, and more.

The banded mongoose lives in dens, like termite mounds, rock shelters, thickets, and under bushes. They prefer a den with multiple entrances, as more members can live in the den. Banded mongooses tend to live in large populations ranging from 10 to 20 individuals in a group, and are a social animal.

Banded mongooses are carnivores and primarily eat insects, such as millipedes and beetles. However, they also eat frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, ants, grasshoppers, caterpillars, termites, and many more. They get their needed moisture from lakeshores and rain puddles.

While foraging, banded mongooses stick together in large groups. They mostly forage in the morning and late afternoon, resting in the shade away from the heat during the mid-day. When foraging, banded mongoose use their strong claws and sense of smell to dig out prey from the ground.

Banded mongoose females who can breed are guarded by 1 to 3 dominant males in the group. The females are monitored very closely so they do not come into contact with subordinates. However, the females can sneak away to mate with other males.

Females who become pregnant wait anywhere from 60 to 70 days until their young are born. Most litter sizes range from 2 to 6 pups and stay in their den for a few weeks. At 4 weeks, the pups can forage for themselves. From birth, pups are cared for by their mother, but also a ‘helper’ or ‘escort’ who brings them food, helps them forage, and protects them from danger.

Banded mongooses travel more than 5 miles a day to forage! They move dens quite frequently, usually not staying in the same den for more than a week. However, they do tend to return to their favorite sites if there is a lot of food. Banded mongooses communicate with one another by using a variety of calls and grunts. They also scent mark their territory and each other after a separation of the group.