We were recently treated to a flurry of activity when a pack of banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) swarmed a termite mound right beside our truck. There were easily twenty or thirty of these feisty individuals, moving with military precision in their search for a midday snack.
The banded mongoose—named for the distinct dark stripes across its backside—is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. These highly social animals are famous for their “eat anything” diet. From beetles and birds to lizards and eggs, they are relentless foragers. And, as every reader of Rudyard Kipling knows from the tale of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, they are legendary for their ability to take on snakes!
A Biblical Mystery?
The mongoose’s presence in history may go back even further than Victorian literature. Some scholars believe this creature is mentioned in Leviticus 11:30. The Hebrew word koach is often included in a list of “unclean animals”; while frequently translated as “chameleon” or “monitor lizard,” it has been argued that the reference could point to this resilient species.
Experience the Wild next year
Watching a pack of thirty mongooses work together to take down a predator or clear a termite mound is an exercise in teamwork. It’s one of the many small, high-energy dramas you can only see in the wild. Join us on safari and see the "banded bandits" for yourself!
Check out our future travel offerings at the link here: Find your Trip.
If you enjoyed this post, try this one: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi in Real Life: Encountering the Banded Mongoose