Did you know the mongoose is one of the rare animals that is immune to a dose of snake venom? It is known for its ability to fight and kill snakes like cobras. But how is it possible? Besides being agile and having thick coats, mongooses have specialised acetylcholine receptors that make them tolerate a certain amount of snake venom.
Mongooses evolved in Africa in two distinct groups (genera), one of which, including the meerkats, stayed on in Africa. The other went globetrotting – first to Spain, then South Asia, including India. There are six species found in India; four mainly stay in the forests of the Western Ghats, the other two – the Indian grey mongoose and the small Indian mongoose – have more or less spread everywhere and adapted their lifestyle to live alongside us, enjoying scrub jungles, fields, villages and even the desert.
At around 3 ft long, the Indian grey mongoose is the larger of the two and is the one to have made its name as a cobra killer. Its technique is simple: dart and feint at the snake at ninja speed, so that the latter is forced to strike repeatedly, until it is fagged out. Then, bite its head. Apart from cobras, it hunts rats, mice, ground-nesting birds, lizards, even hares and insects, while its smaller cousin goes for insects, fruits and tubers. It’s been believed that the mongoose is immune to cobra venom, but this is not exactly true. It does have some resistance to the venom, but it simply avoids being bitten with its ninja moves. Also, it frizzes up its fur stiffly, to become twice its size and makes it difficult for the snake’s strike to hit home. It’s a fearless hunter and attacker, plunging headlong at its victim and biting its head – no sly ambush from the rear here. Or, it will stalk its victim, and, when close enough, pounce. Or, it will follow its prey to its burrow and dig it out – for which its huge front claws are perfect. Let one loose in a hen-house and it will cause carnage, killing left, right and centre, far in excess of its needs – and, like a complete reprobate, guzzling up the blood.
Credit : The Indian Express
Picture Credit : Google
