Slender mongooses are adaptable animals and are one of the most successful medium-sized mammals living in Africa. As well as living on the ground, they can climb trees almost as well as squirrels. Mongooses shelter in hollow logs, burrows and drains, and remain in their shelter during cold weather. They like warmer weather and bask in the sun when it comes out. Mongooses exist in family groups or by themselves in a territory of about one square kilometre.

Diet

Mongooses are carnivores and therefore have a simpler digestive system than herbivores because meat is easier to digest. They also possess canine teeth which are modified as daggers to pierce the neck or other soft parts of the prey. While the slender mongoose occasionally eats fruits and berries, its main diet consists of small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, amphibians and other animal┐s eggs. The whole body of the prey is usually eaten, starting at the head and finishing with the tail.

Adaptations

The slender mongoose┐s short legs and long flexible body make it an efficient stalker, staying close to the ground and being able to bound forth quickly for the final charge. Its flexible backbone acts as a spring which propels the animal forward at each stride. Its great agility makes it successful in attacking and killing cobras and other poisonous snakes. Mongooses are also able to stand up on their hind legs if they want to see a distant object, or peer over long grass.