A group of Banded mongooses foraging on a large termite mound in the Serengeti.
Here they come!
A foraging group of Banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) is a whirlwind of activity. We watched as a “business” of about 20 mongooses swarmed a termite mound—digging, scratching, and munching with tireless intensity.
These critters, roughly the size of a small cat, are opportunistic diners. While they primarily feast on insects found in mounds like this one, they are fearless hunters that will take down mice, rats, frogs, and even venomous snakes.
The Buffet of the Serengeti
This particular group caught us by surprise, appearing from the tall grass while we were scouting for larger game. They treated the termite mound like an all-you-can-eat buffet before disappearing back into the brush as quickly as they arrived.
While the Banded mongoose is a staple of the Serengeti ecosystem, there are actually 22 other species of mongooses found across the globe.
A Childhood Hero Revisited
Seeing them in the wild immediately brought back memories of the ultimate mongoose hero: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Rudyard Kipling’s brave little Grey mongoose, with his "bottle-brush tail," made the species legendary. Even now, it’s hard not to hold your breath remembering the chilling call to the cobra, Nag:
“At the hole where he went in
Red-Eye called to Wrinkle-Skin.
Hear what little Red-Eye saith:
’Nag, come up and dance with death!’”
Watching these modern-day “Red-Eyes” at work in the African wild, it’s easy to see where that legendary bravery comes from.
If you enjoyed this post, try this one: Why did the Mongoose Mob Cross the Road?
