Zoo database

Dwarf mongoose

Helogale parvula

Natural diet Dwarf mongoose

Although dwarf mongooses are technically carnivores, their diet is quite diverse and has omnivorous tendencies. Its diet primarily consists of a variety of insects, small reptiles and rodents. Besides this, they also hunt for bird nests. Occasionally, the diet is supplemented with some fruits like berries.

Fruits
Fruits
Insects
Insects
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Vertebrates
Vertebrates

Feeding advice Dwarf mongoose

Feed quantity per day

8-12%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 0.3 kg and eats 10% of its body weight, it will get
 
0.3 x 0.1 = 0.03 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

70% Meat and whole prey
15% Insects and other invertebrates
15% Concentrates

Proportions (fresh product)

0.7 x 0.03 kg = 21 g meat and whole prey
0.15 x 0.03 kg = 5 g insects and other invertebrates
0.15 x 0.03 kg = 5 g concentrates

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of insects

Whole prey

Pellets

In moderation

Root vegetables

Eggs

Not recommended

Fruits

Common diseases

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

  • Obesity
  • Oral malfunctioning

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 behaviour by hiding, stacking or hanging the feed (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).