Researchers found that the single-syllable call of the banded mongoose is actually structured, and perhaps like the vowel and consonant system of human speech. University of Zurich Jan. 16, 2013 ...

WASHINGTON — When families of banded mongooses prepare to fight, they form battle lines. Each clan of about 20 animals stands nose to nose, their ears flattened back, as they stare down the enemy.

Mongooses solve inequality problem Date: June 23, 2021 Source: University of Exeter Summary: A fair society has evolved in banded mongooses because parents don't know which pups are their own, new ...

Female mongooses start battles for chance to mate Date: November 10, 2020 Source: University of Exeter Summary: Female banded mongooses lead their groups into fights then try to mate with enemy ...

Female banded mongooses lead their groups into conflicts with rivals so they can mate with males from neighbouring territories during battle, while males in their own groups are distracted.

Animals are more eloquent than previously assumed. Even the monosyllabic call of the banded mongoose is structured and thus comparable with the vowel and consonant system of human speech.

Banded mongooses have long been used as a model of animal cooperation. Now, researchers in Uganda are starting to get to grips with the harsh realities of their long-running and bloody battles.