08 24/08/2017

Fab five! Dwarf mongoose pups emerge from their den

• Dwarf mongoose
• New arrivals

Five tiny dwarf mongoose pups born at the zoo have emerged from their den for the first time.

🚨 BABY MONGOOSE ALERT! 🚨

This fab five is the first litter of dwarf mongoose pups for proud parents Mini and Cooper... 😍😍 pic.twitter.com/wFwWcjgwkW

— Chester Zoo (@chesterzoo) August 24, 2017

The tiny youngsters, each similar in size to a Kit Kat Chunky, were spotted following in the footsteps of mum as they took their maiden steps into the outside world.

The quintet is the first litter for parents Mini and Cooper since the pair arrived at the zoo in late 2016.

Keepers were first alerted to the new arrivals several weeks ago when they heard “little squeaks” coming from their nest box.

However, only now have the pups opened their eyes and developed the confidence to venture out. 

Nick Davis, Deputy Curator of Mammals, said: 

Dwarf mongooses are curious characters and are incredibly adventurous and playful. The babies are certainly keeping mum and dad on their toes.

Native to sub-Saharan Africa, the dwarf mongoose is the smallest of all carnivores on the continent, with adults growing to just 30cm (12 inches) in length.

Given the tiny size of the latest arrivals, it’s too early for our keepers to be able to confirm the genders of each of the pups and thus, give them names. 

Dwarf mongoose facts

The plural of mongoose is mongooses!

Dwarf mongooses are found in many parts of Africa, living in woodlands, grasslands and rocky outcrops

They mainly feed on locusts, beetles, spiders, termites, grubs and mealworms, smaller mammals like mice, small birds, lizards and snakes

They are Africa’s smallest carnivore, as well as the smallest of the mongoose species

Adult dwarf mongooses only grow to about 30cm (12 inches) in length

Dwarf mongooses are related to meerkats

They make short chirrup sounds to communicate with each other

The new youngsters were born on 09/07/2017

Keepers do not yet know the pups’ gender and so they’ve not yet been named

Mum is four years old (born 10/09/2012)

Dad is two years old (born 23/11/2016)