8z ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



have killed it. The natives assert that when bitten 

 they use some antidote which preserves them from ill 

 effects, but I know of no white man who is able to speak 

 of this matter as being within his own experience. The 

 Small Brown Mungoose is not strictly nocturnal, and 

 several together may often be seen scampering for their 

 burrows at all hours of the day. 



Small Brown Mungooses are easily tamed, and make 

 delightful pets, showing a high grade of intelligence, 

 coupled with an intense and boundless curiosity. In 

 addition to their docile traits, these charming little 

 creatures form a valuable ally to man in his struggle 

 against noxious reptiles and insects. 



A closely allied species is Wahlberg's Mungoose, the 

 habits of which seem to be very similar to those of the 

 last. 



Other small mungooses are Meller's Mungoose and the 

 Banded Mungoose, which is often seen tame on the east 

 coast of Africa, and though larger in size is very similar 

 in habits to the Small Brown Mungoose. 



MEERCATS. This is the term applied to certain genera 

 of mungooses which inhabit the high plateaux of South 

 Africa, where they associate in large colonies. They 

 live in burrows, at the mouths of which they may often 

 be seen sitting on their hindquarters, and gazing in- 

 quisitively at passing objects. They are largely day 

 animals, and live on small rodents and birds, insects and 

 eggs, besides killing and eating snakes. Four species 

 are recognized, Selous's Meercat, the Pencilled Meercat, 

 the Bushy- failed Meercat, and the Slender-Tailed Meer- 

 cat. The last named species, which is very amusing in its 

 habits, and becomes extremely tame, is often kept as a pet 

 in South Africa. 



