Mongoose Facts - Herpestes spp.

This Mammal is a Fearless Cobra Killer and an Affectionate Pet

Jun 2, 2009

Despite their fascinating reputation for attacking venomous snakes, mongooses are non-aggressive towards people.

Among the 37 mongoose species inside 18 genera, probably the most well-known are the banded mongoose (Mungos mungos), yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata), dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula), Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes Ichneumon), and the gray mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii). which is the species depicted as the famous cobra killer, Rikki Tikki Tavi.

Mongooses live anywhere from Africa, southern Asia, some Caribbean Islands and southern Europe. They live in varied habitats ranging from rocky terrain, woodlands wetlands, forests and grasslands. Usually preferring a solitary existence, mongooses may live as a pair, but they leave the large group lifestyle to their cousins, the meerkats (Suricata suricatta).

They live in burrows and rock crevices that have usually been abandoned by other animal species, but will occasionally dig their own home. They have long bodies with coats of brown fur that may be striped or mottled and bushy tails. Some species’ tails are ringed. Their legs are short and each foot has five toes. The claws at the end of the toes aren’t retractable, so they can’t be drawn in like a cat. Mongoose faces are weasel-like with tapered noses and round ears.

A mongoose marks his territory with scent markings much like the skunk family. When a mongoose senses danger is nearby, he makes a high-pitched sound called “giggling”. This alerts other mongooses as well as other animal species and they react by scurrying for their burrows or other hiding places.

Mongoose Stats

A Cobra Killer

Mongooses are perhaps the most known for their cobra killing skills thanks to a story by Rudyard Kipling called Rikki Tikki Tavi. It’s the story of a young boy’s pet gray mongoose and how the animal saves the family from a deadly cobra. While this particular story may be an imaginary one, it’s based on fact as far as a mongoose’s propensity to attack and kill cobras and other poisonous snakes.

The mongoose’s agility and amazing speed make it a formidable opponent for the cobra. In fact, it's often no match for the small mammal. A mongoose’s powerful jaws can crack the scull or spine of a cobra with one bite.

Another advantage the mongoose has is a natural defense against the deadly cobra. He has a higher tolerance level or immunity to the snake’s venom. While not completely immune, it does take a dosage 7 or 8 times higher to kill a mongoose than say, a rabbit.

That said, there is a difference between fighting a cobra or cobra family members like the mamba, coral snake, kraits, and Australian venomous snakes. These snakes’ venom is a neurotoxin which causes paralyzation of the muscles. Because the breathing muscles fail to move, the victim dies of asphyxiation. It’s this neurotoxin to which the mongoose has a slight immunity.

Although the mongoose will often win the battle, he needs to be cautious as he eats his opponent. While ingesting the snake, its fangs may enbed themselves into the stomach and inject enough venom to kill the mongoose even after death.

A mongoose pitted against a viper may not win the argument, however. Rattlesnakes, moccasins, copperheads, and Russell’s all belong to the viper family. Vipers can be faster than cobras but more importantly, the vipers bring a little extra something to the table.

While vipers may also carry the neurotoxin in their venom, they have predominately hemotoxins which causes tissue and blood cells to decompose; which is an extremely painful death. A mongoose has no immunities to hemotoxins. Although mongooses have a fierce reputation as a hunter, they’re not considered aggressive towards people, in fact, many find that mongooses make lovable pets.

Mongoose Reproduction

A female mongoose gives birth to 2-4 young twice a year, on average. The female is pregnant for about 2 months, although this varies depending on the species. Some are pregnant for a longer period and some shorter. The pups nurse until they are 6 weeks old and then they’re weaned. The young mongooses begin foraging for food and are on their own by about 4 months old.

Pet Mongoose Responsibility

Mongooses are smart creatures and when kept as pets easily learn simple tricks their keepers teach them. They're hand for keeping snakes, rats and other vermin at bay; however they can be hard on local fauna. For this reason, it's often illegal to import mongooses into certain countries or states. If you're interested in keeping a mongoose as a pet, please be responsible and check with your local ordinances.

Owning an exotic pet is controversial, so before attempting to purchase a mongoose, thorough research on dietary, environmental, social, and behavioral requirements is necessary. Find a reputable mongoose breeder and please don't support anyone who has captured wild mongooses to sell as pets.

The copyright of the article Mongoose Facts - Herpestes spp. in Mammals is owned by Chris McLaughlin. Permission to republish Mongoose Facts - Herpestes spp. in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.