Watch as Squirrels and a Mongoose Play a Deadly Game With a Striking Cobra

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Seeing a fight between two animals is expected and normal in the wild. The fight for survival is one of the most needful fights in the wild. This relies on their ability to survive at all costs. So, it could be said that every animal has the ability to fight. 

However, it’s not every day you see multiple animals fighting at once! To go further than this, it’s also not often that you see multiple animals from different species fighting one another. 

A group of tourists at the Nossob Campsite in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park captured some amazing footage of a fight that broke out. 

A king cobra has found his way into this campsite and is staking his slithering self in the middle. It’s not long before a group of squirrels notices him. They are very unhappy this unwelcomed predator has entered their territory. Not only this, but they are concerned for the livelihood of their young.

They form a large circle around this king cobra and are all looking for ways to rush in and bite him. All while being cautious not to get bitten. A brave squirrel has managed to get up close. He continues to rush in and back out just as the king cobra lashes out. 

After a few minutes, we see a brave mongoose join these squirrels in this fight to get this predator off their territory. Much quicker than the squirrel, the mongoose takes his turn in bullying this king cobra into leaving.

When going back and forth for a while, the mongoose hung back, and the squirrels went at it again. It’s not long before the video ends. However, the tourists tell us in the YouTube video posted below the king cobra left. He got the hint he was not welcome here. 

Mongoose (Helogale parvula) Facts

The mongoose is a quick and agile little fellow that can run up to 20 miles per hour. These mammals only weigh between 0.7-11 pounds and can be anywhere from 1-3 feet long. There are over 34 species of mongooses that belong to 14 different genera. They are small, fearless carnivorous predators found mainly in Africa but are also found in southern Asia and southern Europe. Although they may eat meat, they are considered omnivores as they will eat almost anything, from rats, eggs, and insects to vegetation.

King Cobras Facts

The king cobra is a striking-looking snake. Just the mere look of it would be enough to send someone running away! This fierce-looking snake was recently separated into four separate species endemic to Asia, which comprise what is dubbed the “Royal Family”, and are identified by each region they inhabit. They currently have no scientific names but are categorized by region and lineage: Western Ghats lineage, the Indo-Chinese lineage, the Indo-Malayan lineage, and the Luzon Island lineage.

The King cobra can reach lengths of up to 19.2 feet long, according to the longest one recorded, and is known for being the most venomous snake in the entire world. No wonder these squirrels and mongoose in the video below did everything they could to get him away from their young.  

Is it Normal for Animals to Attack a King Cobra?

Both squirrels and mongoose appear to be quite similar in their disdain for snakes. They are both known to attack these serpents and don’t appear to back down in an encounter, as the video below illustrates. Some squirrels, adults in particular, that live in areas with venomous snakes are known to have developed resistance, by producing proteins that bind to the venom, and provide them immunity to snake bites.

The mongoose is noted for their bold attacks on highly venomous snakes such as king cobras. The Indian grey mongoose, in particular, has made a name for itself as a cobra killer. While neither is completely immune, these mammals have an acetylcholine receptor that also gives them resistance to snake venom. They are also fond of hunting snakes and will make a tasty snack out of them. These two animals are extremely quick and agile and use this to their advantage. Defending their young is another reason they will frequently attack snakes.