page_title: Common kusimanse
section_title: In captivity
hierarchical_section_title: Common kusimanse / In captivity
caption_attribution_description: Photographer: Dawson
context_page_description: The common kusimanse, also known as the long-nosed kusimanse or simply cusimanse, is a small, diurnal kusimanse or dwarf mongoose. Of three subfamilies of Herpestidae, the kusimanse is a member of Mungotinae, which are small and very social.
context_section_description: Due to its ease of training, and social nature, the common kusimanse is commonly available in the exotic pet trade and is found in many zoos worldwide. It tends to become quite bonded to its owner, and does not interact well with any other kind of household pet. It is highly energetic, requiring a large amount of space to satiate its natural wandering instinct. Without it, it tends to pace and act out with aggression. Its dietary needs can be met with a mix of various things including commercially available crickets, mealworms, or mice, along with a quality cat food.
  In captivity the risk of obesity is high, and care should be taken to assure its diet is varied, and that it gets an appropriate amount of exercise. It will often try to eat almost anything it is offered or that it comes across which seems even remotely edible, and will often become aggressive if what it perceives as a food item is taken away. Captive breeding is not commonplace, but has been done.
caption: Tame common kusimanse sitting on a human lap.
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