@alan
They are harmless and friendly towards humans but their fur is thick, pointy and hard (cause that protects them from snake bites) so petting them wouldn't be as satisfying as petting a floofy animal.
By the way Mongooses are distant relatives of Minks.
@mur2501 No good as a pet then- our dog lights to play with our cat, so that could end badly with a mongoose 😮