This Little Mongoose Steps Up to the King Cobra in a Fight

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Size doesn’t always matter, as we’re constantly told in society. There are many times that both people and animals are capable of beating something larger than they are. And if we look at the wild animal kingdom, even though animals such as lions are seen as the kings of the jungle, they are smaller than the prey they hunt, such as buffaloes. Let’s see the confidence this little mongoose has to face a king cobra in a fight. 

Mongoose Faces Up to a King Cobra

The YouTube video posted at the top brings us to a fight between an apex cobra and a small mongoose. The Perkutut Ujung Plosok YouTube page shared this video with their subscribers. They share daily news and entertainment content from around the world. They also share footage of animals such as birds, monkeys, crocodiles, lions, buffaloes, and chickens. 

King Cobra Strikes at Mongoose

As the video starts out, we see a king cobra and a mongoose standing across from one another. It’s as if they are both deciding who will strike first. The narrator shares that in many places all over the world, snakes are one of the most feared animals, not only by other animals but also by humans.

In addition to their appearance, which can prove to be scary, the Cleaveland Clinic shares that many people develop a learned behavior of a fear of snakes from those who are already afraid. “Many stories and cultural beliefs contribute to ophidiophobia. For example, snakes are often associated with lies, evil, temptation, and paganism.” 

However, this mongoose is not afraid of this king cobra. Even though the mongoose may have a cute appearance, rest assured this small mammal is not one to mess with. The narrator shares that snakes are one of the mongoose’s favorite foods to eat. Along with snakes, mongoose also eat birds, small mammals, insects, fruits, and plants. 

Are Mongooses Immune to Venom?

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a venomous snake that resides in Asia. And while their venom is not considered to be the most lethal in the world, it is enough to kill at least 11 humans. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, the mongoose (Helogale parvula) is immune to venom, “Molecular mechanisms of venom resistance (as indicated by biochemical research on opossums, mongooses, and hedgehogs) include toxin-neutralizing serum factors and adaptive changes in venom-targeted molecules.”

The one thing the king cobra has going for him is the lethal venom he carries. So, while the mongoose may look all furry and cute to a king cobra, he has no idea the advantage that the mongoose has over him.