This battle looked like a carefully orchestrated scene out of a movie. It took place at Nossob Campsite in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a protected area that spans South Africa and Botswana. A group of ground squirrels sought to drive a deadly cobra out of their territory, but they had to move cautiously. This caution is understandable, given that snakes commonly prey on squirrels. The squirrels kept their distance at first until one stepped up to bravely challenge the cobra. The rest of the group, or “scurry,” began to surround the venomous reptile while the challenger distracted it.
The mongoose rushed in confidently, closing the distance between itself and the cobra. As observed, the snake and the mongoose exchanged blows but kept enough space to avoid each other’s devastating bite. However, the pressure applied by the mongoose, along with the squirrels in the background for backup, was enough to send the snake slithering away.
According to the video notes, the ground squirrels were on high alert, hoping to protect their underground burrow (and offspring) from the deadly wrath of the cobra. Who knows if they would have been successful if the mongoose hadn’t shown up? The war between mongooses and cobras is more common than you might think.
How Dangerous Are Mongooses to Cobras?
One mongoose is a tough enough task for a cobra to overcome, so imagine an entire group. Mongooses have varied social systems depending on the species.
One reason mongooses can take on venomous snakes is that they have biological adaptations that reduce the effects of some snake neurotoxins. These mammals also have sharp, curved claws on their front feet, which they use for scratching and digging. They also have short but heavy claws on their hind feet. Additionally, mongooses are agile and have impressive reflexes, as we saw in the above footage.
