New Delhi: For centuries, the legend of the bitter, deadly enmity between snakes and mongooses has been one of the most popular and discussed topics among the people. Right from stories to the audio-visual mediums, it is still as captivating as it was in the past. It is a given that wherever and whenever a snake and mongoose are face-to-face, there is going to be a fierce blood-stained battle resulting in the death of either. It is about survival.
But, have you ever wondered why these two animals are such ferocious enemies? The answer lies in the very basic concept of life, survival and the rivalry between these two is innate with roots in their nature. These two are nemesis to each other due to the integral part of their evolutionary survival strategies.
It does beg the question, why the rivalry?
The answer lies in their survival instincts, very much like a predator and the prey. Both species are natural predators and very possessive and protective about their territories. Both view each other as a probable threat to their existence which they must annihilate.
When a snake comes across a mongoose, its natural instinct is to attack and kill it or disable it by using its venom or contraction. Contrariwise, the mongoose attacks the snake to protect itself. It has happened over a long period spanning centuries.
The confrontation gets more intense if the mongoose has its offspring around who are a very easy target for a snake. If a snake tries to feed on the young ones, then the mongoose goes ballistic.
The snake has been armed by nature with venom which can kill any being in a matter of minutes. It also tightens its grip around its prey and chokes it to death.
On the other hand, the mongoose has several biological advantages give it an upper hand against the snake. Mongoose’s primary advantage is its agility. They are very quick with extremely fast reflexes which help it to evade a snake’s strike. Also, the mongoose is naturally resistant to snake’s venom. This combination allows it to attack the snake and strike at its weakest points. vulnerable areas.
Moreover, the mongoose has acetylcholine receptor which plays a key part in nerve function. When a snake bites someone, its venom works by blocking the acetylcholine receptors in the victim’s nervous system, leading to paralysis or death. However, mongooses have a form of this receptor that is less sensitive to the toxins present in snake venom, allowing them to survive bites that would kill other animals.
The DNA of the mongoose has alpha and beta blockers that act as protective agents against neurotoxic venom.
In a one-on-one encounter, the odds are heavily in the favour of the mongoose, thanks to their greater reflexes, agility, and resistance to venom.
