Mongoose pups live tucked away in their burrows until they are around 6 weeks old. Males who are not breeders will guard the burrows, much like babysitters, while the females are out looking for food. At around 1 month old, the pups will learn to forage for food with the help of mom. Older male mongooses will form close relationships with the younger ones, where they serve as one-on-one chaperones. The older mongooses are usually older cousins, siblings or uncles who are not breeders. They will teach the younger male mongooses how to forage and hunt for food, as well as how to defend themselves. The female pups will stay together as a bonded group, sometimes for the rest of their lives.