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Some of the most fascinating animal fights are the ones we don’t expect. When we imagine a huge cobra adopting a small mongoose we probably don’t expect it to be a big fight. After all, cobras are so big and toxic that they will certainly kill and eat mongooses quite easily, right? Well, think again.
So why isn’t it an easy battle for a cobra to win? Well, mongooses are super fast and agile and are known as random hunters for their ability to eat anything they can catch and kill. Not only that, but they even have a nifty little trait that makes them hard for snakes to kill.
Comparing Cobra vs Mongoose
Cobras are some of the most feared snakes in the world because of their fast-acting and deadly venom. Not to mention their intimidating looks and size. On the other hand, mongooses don’t look particularly scary or ferocious. Join us as we compare the two and see exactly how they would stack up in combat.
Check out the chart below to learn some of the key differences.
| Cobra | Mongoose | |
| Measure | Average about 6 feet tall, but up to 10 feet depending on the species | Body length between 10 and 22 inches, excluding tail. Weigh up to 11 pounds |
| Habitat | mainly Africa and Asia in grassland, savannas, and forests | Mainly found in Africa. Live in a variety of habitats, including: forests and forests |
| toxic | Yes | new |
| Appearance and features | The color varies – usually red, black, yellow or with a pattern. Have a hood, smooth scales and round pupils | Short legs, pointed noses, small ears, long bushy tails and a tough skin. Gray or brown color. Possess some immunity to: snake venom |
| eating pattern | mice, rats, squirrels, frogs, lizards, birds, and others snakes | Random Hunters – eat all they can kill |
| Hunting Tactics | Detect prey by scent (by waving tongue in and out). Hit and bite prey and inject venom from their fangs | Fast and agile. Deliver a powerful bite to the skull |
| Predators | hawks, eagles, crocodiles, mongoose | hawks, jackals, snakes |
| Lifespan | About 20 years | Between 6 and 10 years |
The 6 Main Differences Between Mongoose And Cobras
Mongoose vs Cobra: Size
There is a huge difference between the size of a cobra and the size of a mongoose. The average length of a cobra is 6 feet long, although they can reach up to 10 feet depending on the species. However, mongooses are much smaller, measuring only between 10 and 22 inches, excluding their tail. They don’t even weigh very much – just under 11 pounds. Advantage: Cobra
Mongoose vs Cobra: Venomous
Mongooses are not poisonous. However, cobras are venomous snakes with hollow fangs attached to their upper jaws. They use these fangs to inject deadly venom into their prey. The venom of most cobras is a potent neurotoxin that affects the nervous system, causing respiratory failure, muscle weakness and breathing difficulties. However, some cobras have cytotoxic venom that causes extreme pain, swelling and tissue death. The king cobra is one of the most venomous cobras in the world, possessing enough venom in one bite to kill twenty people. If a human is bitten, death can follow in as little as thirty minutes if left untreated. Advantage: Cobra
Mongoose vs Cobra: Appearance and Characteristics
Cobras have smooth scales and round pupils. They can be different colors depending on the species. However, cobras are most known for their hood. Hooding is their ability to flatten and widen their necks by spreading their neck ribs. They usually do this while lifting the upper part of their bodies off the ground which creates an incredibly intimidating look.
Mongooses are gray or brown and have short legs, pointed noses, small ears and a bushy tail. They are incredibly fast and agile, making them hunters. They also have traits that give them an edge over cobras in combat. Mongooses have tough skin that provides some protection from bites. However, their most unique defense is their natural defense against cobra venom. Mongooses have acetylcholine receptors that are slightly mutated. This prevents the venom from binding to mongoose cells and killing them as it does all their other prey. However, mongooses are not completely immune to snake venom, but it takes about eight times as much venom to kill one than one rabbit – meaning the cobra should get several bites. Benefit: mongoose
Mongoose vs Cobra: Diet
Cobras eat a variety of prey – including birds, lizards, mice, rats, squirrels, and even others snakes. Mongooses are known as random hunters because they will eat literally anything they can kill. However, their main diet is: rodents, birds, frogs, insects, and reptiles. They have even been known to break open eggs and crabs by throwing them at a solid object such as a rock with their front legs.
Mongoose vs Cobra: Hunting Tactics
Once a cobra has detected its prey, they strike with deadly accuracy, causing a deadly venomous bite. Their venom is injected into their prey using their hollow fangs.
Mongooses are fast and agile and have extremely strong jaws. They usually kill their prey by inflicting a deadly bite on the back of their head, shattering the skull. Benefit: mongoose (as they have tough skin and immunity to cobra venom)
Mongoose vs Cobra: Who Would Win in a Battle?
While it would be easy to assume that cobras have an immediate advantage due to their much larger size and venomous bite, the truth is that mongooses really come out on top. This is because they are so fast and agile that they can usually jump and bite the cobra on the back of its skull before it even has a chance to strike. Sometimes the cobra will try to wrap around the mongoose to slow them down enough to bite them if the mongoose has missed its first bite. Cobras are actually so afraid of mongooses that they try to avoid confrontation with their formidable little opponent. Because of mongooses’ natural defenses against snake venom, the only way a cobra can kill them is with multiple bites. However, mongooses win about 75 to 80 percent of battles with cobras.
Once the mongoose has killed the cobra, they sometimes eat them – including fangs and venom pouches. Because venom must be injected to be effective, it poses no threat to the mongoose when ingested. In rare cases, however, the mongoose can come off worse even after defeating the cobra. This is because if the mongoose is really unlucky, the cobra’s fangs can pierce their stomach walls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are mongooses dangerous to humans?
No, mongooses are generally not aggressive towards humans and prefer to run away.
Can mongooses kill king cobras?
Yes, despite king cobras being the longest poisonous snake in the world mongooses are one of the few natural enemies of them.
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