[2] The Meller's mongoose lives alone and is active at night, feeding on termites or other small insects and animals.

It is a member of the mongoose family (Herpestidae), a group of fox-like animals native to Asia, southern Europe, and Africa.

The scientific name Rhinogale melleri was proposed by John Edward Gray in 1865 for a grey-brown mongoose zoological specimen collected in East Africa.

[6] It lives in miombo (Brachystegia) woodlands in Zambia,[8] Zimbabwe and Malawi[9] and montane bamboo forests in Tanzania.

[7] It appears to require dense cover throughout the year and is rarely seen in areas where fires are extensive and frequent.

[6] However, in parts of northern South Africa the species has been recorded in areas with high human and domestic dog disturbances.