Somali Dwarf Mongoose

Somali Dwarf Mongoose

Helogale hirtula

Silhouette: Margot Michaud · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
at Tsavo West National Park
1 Verified sightings at Tsavo West National Park From 2019 to 2026
45 Verified sightings across all 4 parks From 2019 to 2026
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Somali Dwarf Mongoose

The Ethiopian dwarf mongoose (Helogale hirtula), also known as the desert dwarf mongoose or Somali dwarf mongoose, is a mongoose native to East Africa, particularly Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. The Ethiopian dwarf mongoose sends out warning calls to its family if a predator is detected. It also produces general alarm calls when danger is not present. These calls have different pitches which indicate different levels of urgency for the family, could convey the predator's species, distance and elevation to the family all through alarm calls.

Helogale hirtula hirtula Helogale hirtula ahlselli Helogale hirtula annulata Helogale hirtula lutescens Helogale hirtula powelli Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Samburu National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
~50%
2 Meru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
3 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
4 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
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