The common dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula ) is a mongoose species native to Angola, northern Namibia, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, Zambia and East Africa. It is part of the genus Helogale and as such is related to H. hirtula.
Common dwarf mongooses are the smallest African carnivores. They have a large pointed head, small ears, a long tail, short limbs, and long claws. Their soft fur is very variable in color, ranging from yellowish red to very dark brown.
Common dwarf mongooses range from East to southern Central Africa, from Ethiopia to the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in the Republic of South Africa. These animals are usually found in dry grassland, open woodlands, wooded savannas, and bushland. They are especially common in areas with many termite mounds and avoid dense forests and deserts.
Common dwarf mongooses are diurnal animals. They are highly social and live in extended family groups of 2 to 30 animals. There is a strict hierarchy among same-sexed animals within a group, headed by the dominant pair (normally the oldest group members). All group members cooperate in helping to rear the pups and in guarding the group against predators. Dwarf mongooses are territorial, and each group uses an area of approximately 30-60 hectares. They sleep at night in disused termite mounds, although they occasionally use piles of stones, hollow trees, etc. Mongooses mark their territory with anal gland and cheek gland secretions and latrines. Territories often overlap slightly, which can lead to confrontations between different groups, with the larger group tending to win. Common dwarf mongooses begin and end each day sunbathing and socializing with the members of their groups. The rest of the day these animals spend looking for food among brush and rocks. They communicate with each other with the help of twitters, whistles, trills, and vibrations.
