A mongoose is a small, snake-killing, cat-like mammal. They are small, slender, and full of energy. Mongoose is a species of small bold predatory carnivores found mainly in Africa but also in southern Asia and southern Europe. The most common and probably best-known are the 10 species of the genus Herpestes, among which are the Egyptian mongoose, or ichneumon of Africa and southern Europe and the Indian gray mongoose. The meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is also a member of the mongoose family.

The mongoose was made famous in the jungle book story "Rikki tikki tavi" by Rudyard Kipling, a short story about an Indian grey mongoose. They have an impressive range of sounds to communicate with each other, including mongoose cries, growls, and giggling. Each sound is accompanied by a different set of behavior. Mongooses are mostly active during the day while they hunt and socialize.