THE MUNGOOSE 



certain anatomical differences, one of which is that 

 in this species the palate is flat, whereas in Meller's 

 Mungoose it is concave. 



It occurs from Kaffraria through Natal, Trans- 

 vaal, and northwards into East Africa. In Natal 

 it is common in the coastal districts. The Banded 

 Mungoose lives in small communities, usually 

 in the vicinity of rivers, in burrows, and often 

 in the old deserted heaps of termites. Their 

 ways and habits are very similar to those of the 

 common meerkat of South Africa. Like the meer- 

 kat they have a habit of sitting up on their haunches 

 and peering round in a most inquisitive manner ; 

 or standing contentedly basking in the sun with 

 their legs apart to allow the sun's rays to strike the 

 abdomen. Their voice, too, resembles that of the 

 meerkat, for, when pleased or desiring to attract 

 attention, they give vent to a plaintive twittering 

 or trilling succession of sounds. 'When irritated 

 or alarmed they bark somewhat like a small dog. 

 Like the meerkat they diligently scratch the ground 

 in search of insects, which they devour greedily. 

 They also eat roots, berries, seeds, tender shoots, 

 and sweet bark. Lizards, snails, slugs, and other 

 small creatures also form a portion of their diet. 

 The shells of snails and eggs they smash by taking 

 them between the forepaws and dashing them 

 back behind their hind feet against some hard 

 substance such as a stone or wall. 



In captivity the Banded Mungoose is as amusing, 



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