A python that appeared to grab a mongoose soon faced an unexpected barrage of more than 12 members of the small mammal’s group fighting back.<\/p>\n
Here’s what to know<\/p>\n
The video<\/a>, shared on Instagram by Bestial Nature<\/a> (@bestialnature) starts with the attack underway. It appears that the python has one mongoose wrapped tightly in its grip, while at least a dozen furry friends and family members assault the snake from every angle.<\/p>\n A colony or pack can offer a mongoose protection. Members may confront a threat together when one of them is endangered. This form of defense occurs in some social species of these small, carnivorous mammals.<\/p>\n The snake eventually lunges at other mongooses, but the horde appears to be too much for the serpent to handle. The video ends before there is a conclusion, but the mongoose clan seems to be overwhelming the snake, so it’s hard to imagine it ends well for the reptile.<\/p>\n Several details about the encounter remain unclear. The account does not identify either species, provide a location, or establish what ultimately happened to the animals.<\/p>\n More background<\/p>\n Mammals, birds, and reptiles are usual python prey, with the mix depending on the snake’s species and size. A mongoose is not a staple food, but pythons may take the opportunity to eat one, according to A-Z Animals.<\/p>\n A python applies pressure by coiling around an animal after first taking hold with its teeth. Pythons, unlike cobras, are nonvenomous. A python’s species matters when considering its length. Some species grow to just a few feet long, while the largest can exceed 20 feet.<\/p>\n Forests, grasslands, rocky terrain, savannas, scrublands, and open woodlands all provide mongoose habitat, though species use them differently. These mammals occur mainly in Africa and Asia.<\/p>\n Pythons, meanwhile, live in forests, wetlands, rocky areas, grasslands, and scrublands, creating some overlap with mongoose habitats. The snakes’ range covers Africa and Asia and extends to Australia and parts of Oceania.<\/p>\n What’s being done?<\/p>\n Resistance to venom does not prevent a python from constricting a mongoose. According to A-Z Animals, some mongoose species resist particular neurotoxins, especially those in cobra venom. In encounters with snakes, mongooses also depend on agility and quick bites.<\/p>\n A venomous bite can still endanger a mongoose despite its resistance to certain venoms. According to A-Z Animals, that resistance in some mongooses comes from alterations to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that make them less susceptible to those toxins.<\/p>\n Where can I learn more?<\/p>\n These related stories involve pythons swallowing prey, a cobra-python standoff, and a snake lunging at handlers.<\/p>\n \u2022 Near an airport in Maharashtra, a 10-foot python turned a rescue into<\/a> a tug-of-war.<\/p>\n \u2022 In Rajasthan, a python swallowed a jackal<\/a> and became trapped in a farm fence.<\/p>\n \u2022 In Assam, villagers returned a python<\/a> to the wild after it swallowed six ducks.<\/p>\n \u2022 A Bihar family fled as a king cobra and python<\/a> squared off.<\/p>\n \u2022 In South Africa, a snake lunged at handlers<\/a> as a narrator warned it was upset.<\/p>\n Get TCD’s free newsletters<\/a> for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here<\/a>.<\/p>\n