This little mongoose can be found from Gabon to Sudan, north to Congo and southwards to South Africa. The banded mongoose occurs predominantly in lightly wooded savanna with termite mounds in close proximity to water. The termite mounds provide ideal living quarters and afford the mongoose with vantage points from which to observe the surrounding area. Habits Banded mongoose are gregarious animals, forming large family groups of up to 35 individuals. A senior female is usually the pack leader, although age and temperament, not gender, determine rank.
Banded mongoose are active during daylight hours, emerging at dawn from their dens.
They form long, single-file processions as they move through their territories. They forage until midmorning, resting up during the heat of the day and resuming until half an hour before sunset. The strong front claws are used to dig up prey. Insects form the bulk of the banded mongoose diet, along with bird's eggs and reptiles. Breeding Up to four litters a year consisting of four young are born.