White-Tailed Mongoose

© Roger de la Harpe


White-tailed Mongoose [Ichneumia albicauda]


There is not much difference on the appearance of the male and female white-tailed mongoose. They have dark-grey coats with the tails having the distinct long, white hairs.

The legs are covered in black, with the front legs being shorter in appearance. The white-tailed mongoose’s body length measures 1.1 m with a body mass of 4.3 kg.

White-tailed Mongoose Diet

The white-tailed mongoose of South Africa is mainly insectivorous, but is also known to also eat amphibians, snakes and small rodents found in the bushveld.

White-tailed Mongoose Breeding

The white-tailed mongoose produces a litter of between one and three pups. The gestation period is around 2 months and breeding season occurs during the summer months in South Africa.


The white-tailed mongoose is solitary in nature, but can sometimes be seen in small clans.

White-tailed Mongoose Habitat

The white-tailed mongoose inhabit woodland areas with abundant water sources and savannah regions in South Africa.

Where Are They Found

The white-tailed mongoose are found across South Africa but mainly occur in the eastern parts of the Northern Province, through Mpumalanga as far southwards as East London.

Field Notes

Not much is known about the white-tailed mongoose as they are nocturnal in nature. They are noted for their loud barking sounds made during the mating season. They will also secrete a foul-smelling substance from their anus when threatened or under stress.