Large grey mongoose

Introduction: The large grey mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) as with other mongooses, has an association with snake killing. There is a short story in the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling about the heroic adventures of a mongoose called Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.  He eventually kills two cobras, Nag and Nagaina. Kipling, besides making exceedingly good cakes, knew that their long fur protects mongooses against snake bites, making them less vulnerable to snake venom.

Distribution: Well-watered areas such as grasslands and reed fringing waters, as well as woody vegetation along rivers and streams, typical of the far eastern regions of the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip), Chobe and Zambezi riverbanks and the Okavango Delta.

Diet: Feeds on small mammals that weigh up to 4kg, such as scrub hare and rock dassie but prefers rodents. The large grey mongoose also eat birds, frogs and reptiles. Studies have concluded that they do eat snakes, but they are not a major food source.

Colouring: Grey body hair interrupted by annulated black and white hairs. The large grey mongoose has black legs and a black head.

Breeding: Possibly 2 or 3 young born in a litter.

Size: Short in stature due to its short legs, but a shoulder height of 25cm and overall length of 1m. The tail measures up to 90% of the total head and body length including the black tassel. Weight: 3kg.