Early Postnatal Development, Parental Care and Interaction in the Banded Mongoose Mungos Mungo

Abstract

The banded mongoose Mungos mungo, has been reported on by Simpson (1964 & 1966), Neal (1970), Michaelis (1972) and Rood (1974 & 1975). However, no comprehensive records have been published of the early physical and behavioural development which is the object of this note. A litter of three (two males and one female) was born in captivity in February 1976. The pups were weighed and measured every day for the first 19 days, thereafter intermittently until Day 43 and once more on Day 86.