We all know the story of the mongoose that killed the snake to save its master’s baby. The mongoose is a small terrestrial mammal that feeds on small animals such as rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, and worms. The mongoose is found in southern Europe, Asia and Africa.
Remember Rikki-tikki-tavi from Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book? Rikki is an Indian grey mongoose. It is commonly found in the open forests and near human settlements. The Egyptian mongoose is known for digging out bugs from the ground. Its teeth are so strong that it can tear the flesh of any animal. The stripe necked mongoose is commonly found in the Western Ghats. The dwarf mongoose is the smallest of all the mongooses.
Mongooses are long faced with small rounded ears. They have small legs, but long tails. They usually live in groups. They are known for catching snakes due to their agility, thick coats, and specialized acetylcholine receptors that render them resistant or immune to snake venom.
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