The Snake-eating Mongoose (Herpestes Brachyurus Parvus)
Mongoose are mammals known to feed on snakes.
When I was in the elementary, I thought snakes are immune to predation by other animals as they would either bite their prey with their venomous fangs or crush them by constriction. I later learned that there are animals that can outwit them and even prey on them. These snake predators are the mongoose.
One of these mongooses can be found in the island of Palawan. It is called the short-tailed mongoose or water mongoose because of its habitat.
Herpestes brachyurus
Morphological Characteristics
The water mongoose is roughly two feet in length with its tail about a third of its body. It looks like a cross between a dog and a rat. Like other mammals, it has five toes on each foot and the palms are generally naked. The one in the picture is found in Sumatra and is white. The Palawan species is yellowish red mixed with black on its upperparts. The underparts is reddish brown.
Biology and Habitat
The water mongoose is known to prey mainly on fish and crustaceans. Of course, it feeds on snakes. It is semi-aquatic, meaning, it is adapted for living or growing in or near water but not entirely aquatic since its main food can be found in the aquatic environment.
A mongoose successfully bites a cobra.
Distribution
I have not personally seen yet the mongoose. Reportedly, they are found only on mainland Palawan and the northern islands of Palawan known as the Calamianes.
Status
Mongoose are nowadays rarely seen and are endemic to places where they are found. Thus, these animals’ population may be threatened.
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11 Responses to “The Snake-eating Mongoose (Herpestes Brachyurus Parvus)”
On October 5, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Really interesting article, I’d heard about the mongoose before but I actually had no idea what it really was. Never would have imagined it would feed on snakes!
On October 6, 2009 at 5:49 am
Only in the zoo I’ve seen mongooses. Around here some eagles are the ones specialised in hunting snakes.
On October 8, 2009 at 1:59 am
nice article!!!
On October 8, 2009 at 4:33 am
Thanks Martin.
On October 13, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Patrick, I had heard about the mongoose. Thanks for the further enlightenment and the pictures. It cleared up the questions I had.
On October 13, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Great article, I too have heard of the Mongoose.
On October 19, 2009 at 9:45 am
Good article….
On October 19, 2009 at 5:21 pm
We just got finished Rikki-Tikki Tavi, Mongooses are some wild ass things, I swear but their very freindly. Every time I think of one I think of a dual between a cobra and a Mongoose with Welcome Home by Coheed and Cambria playing in the background. KICK ASS!
On October 24, 2009 at 5:06 am
I have seen quite a few Mongooses, in our back garden in India, catching snakes. These can be seen quite regularly there. They look like giant rats and appear quite friendly. One of our pet rabbits was also eaten up by a Mongoose, which was really sad, as we were all attached to the rabbit.
On October 24, 2009 at 5:44 am
Thanks everyone. Indeed mongooses are remarkable animals. It was sad it victimized Nina’s pet rabbit. It’s good mongooses are friendly unlike snakes.
On November 7, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Wow, can’t say I am surprised, they come come the same family as the ferret? ferrets are great killers!
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