Violent evictions target familial females in mongoose groups

Mike Franco — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 00:36:15 GMT

To look at one, you wouldn't necessarily think that a banded mongoose was a very fierce critter. However, researchers at the University of Exeter have shown that the animals engage in some pretty significant warlike behavior that starts with a screech and can easily end with death. Now, the same researchers have uncovered a different not-so-nice behavior exhibited by the banded mongoose: When females are kicked out of the group, close family members are often the first to go.

Category: Biology, Science

Tags: Animals, Mongoose, University of Exeter, University of Cambridge

Banded mongoose wars include death, sex and better pregnancies

Mike Franco — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 00:41:06 GMT

New research out of the University of Exeter (UE) in England makes a day in the life of a banded mongoose sound like an episode of the TV show, Vikings. Turns out the little critters engage in some pretty serious gang-like behavior that leads to death, sex between enemies, and an odd life-preserving side effect.

Category: Biology, Science

Tags: Animals, Mongoose, University of Exeter