carnivorous mammal

Mongoose are opportunistic feeders that will eat birds, small mammals, reptiles, insects, fruits, and plants.

The mongoose is known for its ability to fight and kill venomous snakes, especially cobras. Their specialised acetylcholine receptors render them immune to venom. Their specialised acetylcholine receptors render them immune to venom, while their thick coats and quick speed also come in handy during conflicts.

Mongooses eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, eggs, and occasionally fruit. A number of mongooses, especially those of the genus Herpestes, will attack and kill venomous snakes for food.

In Hawaii, the most common method of mongoose control is by using live-traps, followed by euthanasia either by shooting or carbon dioxide poisoning after capture. This is a labour-intensive process, especially as live-traps must be checked every day to comply with humane requirements.

Despite their fascinating reputation for attacking venomous snakes, mongooses are non-aggressive towards human beings. However, at times they may bite as in the present case. Such wounds can cause streptococcal sepsis.

Mongoose and other species are consumed as bushmeat, which may also contribute to leptospirosis exposure and infection in humans.

A mongoose, with its slender small frame and beautiful grizzled or marked fur, may seem like an ideal animal to tame and keep as a cute household pet. However, in countries where mongooses are nonnative, their importation is strictly regulated because of the destruction they are prone to cause to flora and fauna.

Historically, mongooses are known to fight and kill snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, particularly cobras. They are adept at this due to their speed and agility, sharp teeth and specialised receptors on their skin which make them relatively tolerant to snake venom, though not fully immune.

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest venomous snake in the world. The snake’s venom is so strong and so voluminous that it can kill an elephant in just a few hours.

The mongoose looks like it is trying to defend itself and/or its territory from the lions. It’s possible that the mongoose has some pups in the den, and that could be why it is fighting so hard to scare the lions away. Nearly all animals become strangely aggressive when they have young to protect.

Mongooses are indigenous to Africa and Asia and have been introduced elsewhere. In Cuba, Puerto Rico, Grenada, and South Africa they are the major reservoir and vector of rabies. Elsewhere, sporadic cases of mongoose rabies are reported, but dog rabies can mask their importance.

Mongoose control must be done by humans, usually by trapping. However, very little animal control is going on. Avid management of these animals is the only way to start controlling their populations and reduce the bad influences they have on native fauna.

Africa

Relation with humans The Indian grey mongoose is the state animal of Chandigarh. The species is protected in India, but an illegal trade in hair for the purposes of making of paint brushes and shaving brushes continues, and this is one of its most significant threats. About 3000 mongoose were killed to produce 155 kg.

For every kilogram of mongoose hair that is used in brushes, about 50 animals are killed. An estimated one lakh mongooses die for art annually. On the evening of October 24, law enforcement officials kicked down doors of multiple factories and warehouses across six Indian states.

The mongoose is listed under schedule 2, part 2 of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and their hunting, possession, transportation and trade is an offence and punishable with imprisonment for up to seven years.