ACTIVITY OF THE YELLOW MONGOOSE CYNICTIS-PENICILLATA IN A COASTAL AREA

Observed the activity of yellow mongooses (Cynictis penicillata) in th e West Coast National Park, Cape Province, South Africa. The majority of the population was captured, and a sample (4 females; 3 males) was radio-tracked. Radio-collared mongooses were usually (86 % of time) in volved in the same kind oi activity as uncollared ones. Mongooses spen t most of the day (37% of radiolocations) foraging: Time of start and cessation of activity was correlated to sunset and sunrise times, mini mum and maximum temperature, windspeed, and meteorological conditions (mist, rain, cloudiness). The availability of insects may be a factor underlying this relation. This can explain the differences in activity rhythms among previous studies. Total size of home range (minimum con vex polygon) used each day, percentage of total home range used each d ay, and total daily movements were not related to any of the above var iables.