Helogale parvula
SUBFAMILY
Mugotinae
TAXONOMY
Helogale parvula (Sundevall, 1846), South Africa.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
Swahili: Kitafe; French: Mangouste nain; German: Zwergichneumon; Spanish: Mangosta enana.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Body length 7–11 in (18–28 cm); tail 5.5–7.5 in (14–19 cm); weight 7–10 oz (200–300 g). Grizzled fur is reddish brown. Adults have juvenile features, including a short muzzle and large head.
DISTRIBUTION
Ethiopia to Angola and eastern South Africa.
HABITAT
Lives in dry savanna and woodland.
BEHAVIOR
Diurnal and highly social. Group is led by matriarch.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Eats mostly insects, and other arthropods, but some small vertebrates are consumed.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Monogamous, only alpha pair breed. Cooperative care of young by group members. Up to three litters per year, each up to six young.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
