The Synchronised Birthing Strategy of Banded Mongoose Mothers in Uganda

The banded mongoose populations have adapted a unique method of communal care in Uganda. The alpha female and the other females within the group have synchronized births. Females try to synchronize their birth with that of the alpha female to protect their young.

“Mongoose Synchronised Birthing Strategy | Animal Super Parents | BBC Earth”, Source: “YouTube”, Uploaded: “BBC Earth”

One big happy family

The alpha female might threaten the other females’ pups if she could distinguish her offspring from the others. By ensuring all pups are the same age and share the same den, the alpha female cannot distinguish between her offspring and the other females’ offspring. All 12 pups from different mothers live in the same den, where they are raised collectively without discrimination or favoritism.

Problems in Mongoose Paradise

This method of communal living comes with its fair share of problems. With over 40 mongooses sharing a single underground den, the risk of parasite infestation is high. These intelligent creatures employ a nomadic lifestyle to mitigate this threat. They constantly move to new homes, ensuring the safety and well-being of the entire group.

Once the group has settled into a new den and the area is deemed safe from predators, the entire group gathers food for the pups. The collective effort of each group member ensures that moving constantly is a smooth process for the entire group.

The incredible synchronization of mongoose mothers maximizes the chances of survival for young pups.

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Cayla de Souza, M.Sc. Ocean Sciences & Marine Biology

Author at Animals Around The Globe. MSc Ocean Sciences & Marine Biology

Cayla comes from a small coastal town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, near the renowned diving destination Aliwal Shoal, where her deep-seated passion for the ocean first took root. Family trips to the Kruger National Park are some of her favorite memories; there’s nothing quite like being surrounded by wildlife. These experiences inspired her to study the natural world and its creatures, a path she's been on for the past 5 years. She attained her undergraduate and honors degrees in marine biology and recently completed her master's degree in applied ocean sciences, majoring in oceanography.

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