The Yellow Mongoose (Cynictis penicillata) is a mongoose that inhabits open country, semi-desert scrubland, and grasslands in Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. There are slight variations between Southern Yellow Mongooses and Northern subspecies; Southern Yellow Mongooses are larger with yellow or reddish fur that is long, and a longer tail with a white tip. In the north they are a smaller size, gray in color, and have shorter hair adapted to the hotter climate. The species mostly feeds on termites, grasshoppers, and crickets, and will also eat rodents and small birds.
The Yellow Mongoose has a body length in the range of 9”-13” (23-33 cm) and total weight of 1-1.3 lb (.45-.6 kg). Yellow Mongooses have a shoulder height between 4.3”-5.9” (11-15 cm), body width of 2”-3” (5-7.5 cm), and tail length of 7.1”-9.8” (18-25 cm). The typical lifespan of the Yellow Mongoose is between 10-15 years.
The Yellow Mongoose (Cynictis penicillata) is a mongoose that inhabits open country, semi-desert scrubland, and grasslands in Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. There are slight variations between Southern Yellow Mongooses and Northern subspecies; Southern Yellow Mongooses are larger with yellow or reddish fur that is long, and a longer tail with a white tip. In the north they are a smaller size, gray in color, and have shorter hair adapted to the hotter climate. The species mostly feeds on termites, grasshoppers, and crickets, and will also eat rodents and small birds.
The Yellow Mongoose has a body length in the range of 9”-13” (23-33 cm) and total weight of 1-1.3 lb (.45-.6 kg). Yellow Mongooses have a shoulder height between 4.3”-5.9” (11-15 cm), body width of 2”-3” (5-7.5 cm), and tail length of 7.1”-9.8” (18-25 cm). The typical lifespan of the Yellow Mongoose is between 10-15 years.
