Helogale

Helogale is a genus of two species of mongooses, namely the Common Dwarf Mongoose and Ethiopian Dwarf Mongoose. They are the smallest species of mongoose and both are endemic to Africa. The distribution of the latter species is more tropical, and overlaps completely with that of the Common Dwarf Mongoose which is more widespread. Both are social diurnal species, and due to their small sizes they are vulnerable to predation. Both species live independently of open water.