The Banded Mongoose (Mungos mungos) from Africa is a small, short-legged carnivorous mammal that lives in burrows, called dens. It has long, strong claws that dig through soil.
Its claws do not retract, so they are always visible. There are five toes on each foot, and each toe has a medium-sized claw.
Even though the Banded Mongoose likes to dig, it rarely digs its own burrow. It usually moves into a vacated burrow of another animal.
It uses its strong claws for hunting. It digs through soil and wood, looking for insects, earthworms, lizards, and small rodents.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
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