What are these animals?
The Indian cobra is thought to
be among the most dangerous
snakes within the reptile
class. Its bite is capable of
delivering venom that directly
attacks the nervous system.
This is its most important
adaptation that serves as both
an offensive and defensive
weapon. Without immediate
medical intervention, victims
will begin to experience
numerous neurological
symptoms, including significant
pain, blurring vision, difficulty
breathing, and paralyzed
muscles.
In the most severe bites, victims
may eventually go into cardiac
arrest or respiratory failure. Death
rates are not entirely known, but
they’re thought to be quite high in
people who don’t seek proper
medical treatment in time. India is
one of the most affected countries
in the world in terms of snakebite
fatalities.
Mongoose
The mongoose is a small animal but an excellent hunter, with
keen senses of smell, sight and hearing, and remarkable
reflexes. They hunt insects and small animals such as mice,
rats, rabbits, lizards and snakes, including one of the most
dangerous creatures on Earth - the dreaded King cobra. They
are largely immune to the venom of scorpions and snakes,
although repeated stings or strikes may sicken and even kill
them.
Cobra and Mongoose
The Indian cobra has only a few natural predators in the
wild. Wild boars and mongooses are known to steal the eggs
and consume baby cobras. Mongooses can also kill an adult
cobra as well, an unusual phenomenon that was popularized
in Rudyard Kipling’s short story “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.” The thick
fur will protect the mongoose against the cobra’s fangs,
whereas the speed and agility enable it to bite the cobra’s
neck and kill it.