Footage of an altercation between a mongoose and a cobra, recently taken in Melkbosstrand, has been widely shared on social media.
Also read: LOOK: a list of snakes in Cape Town to identify this snake season
In the footage, taken at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, the snake can be seen, ready to strike, with the mongoose standing its ground.
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While many would back the highly venomous serpent in the confrontation, the mongoose can withstand the lethal bite.
A friend who lives in Atlantic Beach just sent this to me 😳 pic.twitter.com/imtMXplto3
— Ami Kapilevich (@biobot) November 15, 2023
In fact, in 75 to 80% of fights with cobras, the mongoose invariably wins.
The Indian grey mongoose is famous for its love of battling and devouring venomous snakes like cobras.
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It’s been believed that the mongoose is immune to cobra venom but this is not exactly true.
I think their argument started here pic.twitter.com/bY6zMtPLjw
— Gary Lemke (@GaryLemke) November 15, 2023
It does have some resistance to the venom but it simply avoids being bitten with its ninja moves.
It also frizzes up its fur stiffly, to become twice its size and makes it difficult for the snake’s strike to hit home.
Also read:
Video: Snake handler has caught twice as many snakes this season
Picture: Screenshot
