Zoo database

Yellow mongoose

Cynictis penicillata

Natural diet Yellow mongoose

Insects
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Vertebrates

The yellow mongoose is an omnivorous species that is very opportunistic when selecting its diet. Its diet primarily consists of insects like ants, termites and grasshoppers. Next to this, it opportunistically feeds on small vertebrates (such as rodents, reptiles and birds) and may also consume carrion, fruits, nuts and seeds.

Feeding advice Yellow mongoose

Feed quantity per day

10% of body weight

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 0.6 kg and eats 5-10% of its body weight, it will get

0.6 x 0.05 = 0.03 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

60% Meat products and whole prey
25% Insects and other invertebrates
15% Concentrates

Proportions (fresh product)

0.6 x 0.03 kg = 18 g meat products and whole prey
0.25 x 0.03 kg = 7.5 g insects and other invertebrates
0.15 x 0.03 kg = 4.5 g concentrates

Diet suggestions

In moderation

Eggs

Not recommended

Fruits

Additional advice

Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
Eggs can be supplemented as enrichment of the diet.
Supplements should be provided if the diet does not contain pellets.
Feeding gut-loaded (or dusted) insects will help maintaining a proper vitamin and mineral balance.
Feeding fruits might lead to might lead to gastro-intestinal disturbances because of the high sugar level and low fiber level in cultivated fruits compared to wild fruits (read more about nutritional values of (wild) fruits and vegetables).
Stimulate foraging behavior by hiding, stacking or hanging the feed (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

Taurine deficiency
Obesity
Secondary alimentary hyperparathyroidism
Oral malfunctioning

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

Crickets

Small mice 8-15 g

DK Omnivore diet

Mice crawler 6-10 g

Dwarf hamster, medium / adult

Day Old Chicks (Black Box)

DK Insect Gut Loader

Michel Janssen

Manager Finance & IT