The African striped weasel is one of the smallest mammalian carnivores in Africa, and has an elongated body and short legs.

Like many other mustelids, the African striped weasel has well-developed scent glands in the perineal region that can spray a noxious fluid when the animal feels threatened.

[2] African striped weasels are nocturnal hunters of small mammals, birds, and reptiles, but feed almost entirely on rodents of their own size or smaller.

[3] The weasels hunt primarily by scent, attacking prey with a sudden lunge and striking at the back of the neck.

After the initial strike, they kill by whipping their own bodies and kicking, making use of their thin, lithe, muscular build to stun and tear the prey item.

[4] Mating occurs between spring and summer, and includes at least three bouts of copulation, each lasting 60 to 80 minutes, in a single 24-hour period.