Indian Grey Mongoose: A Ruthless Cobra Killer

Cobras are among the subtle yet ruthless; cool yet cunning and cold-blooded predators that grow up to 12 feet in length, the King Cobras reaching up to 18 feet. These reptiles are known to expand their neck ribs to form a widened hood when they are threatened or when there is imminent danger. They can easily rear-up and spread their necks to project an aggressive and ready-to-pounce-at-a-prey stance. These slithery creatures are venomous and we can only count with our fingers, certain animals that
can put up with the cobra’s innate monstrous and killer drives. Cobras are normally shy but when threatened they can also be very aggressive.

Yes, a few maybe but we can only surmise that the mongoose, most especially the Indian Grey Mongoose is the best of its kind. Who can actually imagine a furry and sneaky mammal like the mongoose can literally fight with the cobra regardless of its deadly venom. The Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes Edwardsii) also called the Common Grey Mongoose lives predominantly in Sri Lanka and Southern India although some of its known species can also be found in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Southeast China and other parts of India.

They love to dwell near where humans live because they like places with vast cultivated farmlands and thick vegetation where they can easily burrow and create holes. Just like the cobra, they are predators themselves with their extremely quick reflexes ready to make a kill and thick hide that protects them from other prying animals.

Its tails is quite long typically between 14 to 17 inches in length. In fact, the length of its tails is at par with the length of its body making equilibrium its edge and the ability to balance its stronghold. These mammals are not so heavy weighing about 2 to 4 pounds

Of all the animals in the wild, the mongoose, particularly the Indian Grey Mongoose has their favorite meal. Although they love to feast on rats, small birds, mice and other rodents, they want to indulge in reptiles like lizards and… believe it or not, cobras! The Mongoose is the only species that is widely known for its great agility and speed, killing cobras and loving them as their favorite meal.

Their capacity to engage in a fierce battle with a cobra and other poisonous snake species is extraordinary. Furthermore, their ability to attack and eventually kill these potentially dangerous reptiles is brought about by its exceptionally dense course fur as well as its lightning-like speed that can make any prey its palatable menu anytime of the day!

Indian Grey Mongoose Video

 

read more "Indian Grey Mongoose: A Ruthless Cobra Killer"

The Mongoose - Snake Killers as Pets

Rudyard Kipling’s Rikki Tikki Tavi tells the story of a smart and loyal mongoose, whose love for a family brings it to save them from two vicious cobras. The story is an old one, but in its telling and retelling, it has sparked a lot of interest in mongooses, particularly in keeping them as pets.

Are mongooses great to have as pets? Are you planning on getting one?

Here are some mongoose-y facts you should know about, first.

Who is the Mongoose and What does it Eat?

A part of the Herpestidae family, mongooses can be found in different parts of Eurasia and Africa. They generally grow up to 1-4 feet in length, weighing somewhere around 300 grams to 4 kilos. They’re typically covered with a thick coat of fur, typically grey or brown in color.

They are carnivores and are known to prey on earthworms, insects, lizards, crabs, rodents and small or medium-sized foul, like chicken. Mongooses are also known to have a penchant for eggs, occasionally. Ironically, mongooses don’t always eat snake meat. The Indian mongoose is famed all over the world for its ability to successfully fight against venomous snakes (Cobras in particular), but not for eating snake meat after a successful kill.

As carnivores, they are predatory by nature, intelligent and quick in hunting down and capturing their prey.

Mongoose as Pets

Most mongoose species are quite compatible with humans, contrary to their reputation as expert hunters and skillful predators.

Fully domesticated mongoose pets are very loyal, and as smart as mongooses are, they also are highly trainable, even trainable to do tricks with balls and/or hoops. But since not all mongoose species are easy to domesticate, it’s highly advised to pick a species that is.

Most mongoose pet owners have a tough time with their pets when veterinarians are being talked about, particularly with annual rabies shots. Not all vets are qualified to treat mongooses after all, and given that the mongoose is still considered as a wild animal, not all territories even consider it legal to keep them as pets.

But should you be in a place where having a mongoose as a pet is legit, and if you find a vet who knows a lot about mongooses, having them around as pets makes for lovable companions, though a bit fickle to keep around compared to cats or dogs.

Mongooses just have to be well taken care of, regularly interacted with and properly trained and taken care of for them to be lovable, loyal pets.

So? Think you’ll still be getting that mongoose?

read more "The Mongoose - Snake Killers as Pets"