CANNIBAL COBRAS. 177 
CoBRA AND MUNGOOSE FIGHT. 
Once whilst resting under some thick foliage one hot summer’s 
day, and hearing a rustling noise, I peered carefully through the 
dense curtain of leaves and saw in the glade about ten yards 
distant from where I was, a Grey Mungoose (Herpestes caffer) in 
combat with a large Brown variety of cobra. The snake was 
erect, with hood expanded, keenly watching every movement of 
its enemy, and so quick was it that the Mungoose failed to get 
it at a disadvantage. Suddenly the wily Mungoose changed its 
tactics, and instead of making feints, it began circling round the 
Cobra with quick, springy movements. The snake turned round 
and round, facing its enemy bravely, but eventually it either got 
giddy or the muscles ceased to act, for it toppled over, and before 
it could recover, the Mungoose leapt upon it and crushed its head 
and neck between its sharp-toothed jaws. It then chewed off 
the head and ate it, and began to dine off the body. 
BILLY, THE MEERCAT. 
” 
I once had a tame meercat known to my friends as “ Billy. 
This fearless little fellow would devour any snakes I threw to him. 
Several times I threw live snakes down in front of him, which he 
instantly pounced on and devoured. So quick were his move- 
ments he even overcame and killed a fair-sized Ringhals Cobra 
which I placed before him. Quick as lightning he sprang at it, 
seized it by the head, crushed its cranium between his jaws, and 
bit it severely along the vertebra of the neck. Then he ate the 
head and a portion of the neck. . 
CANNIBAL COBRAS. 
If the Mamba is lord of the arboreal realms, assuredly the 
Cobra reigns supreme over terra firma. He is ever ready for a 
fight. He fears no foe but man. Even man has good cause to 
be wary when tackling him. He will instantly face his enemy, 
ready to deliver a thrust with his channelled fangs, which, if 
driven home, leave behind them a fluid so potent that a 
drop will kill the strongest man. Swiftly and powerfully he 
N 
