Yellow mongooses are small mongooses from southern Africa. They live in colonies consisting of a central breeding pair and numerous helpers that assist in rearing the offspring. They are primarily diurnal and live in an extensive system of burrows, which they may share with meerkats or ground squirrels. They mark their territories with musk and urine. Yellow mongooses are usually silent, although they will growl when frightened. These animals are carnivores, eating primarily insects and arachnids but also small mammals, lizards, snakes, and eggs when they can find them.