THE STRIPED MUISHOND OR STJNK CAT 



for, although it may bound oft', the muishond 

 stubbornly holds on, allowing its body to hang 

 limp and bump over the ground as the hare races 

 frantically away. 



The instant the hare ceases running, a fresh grip 

 is taken, which usually, within a few minutes, 

 ends the life of the victim. Many a time I have, 

 when returning home about dusk, seen muishonds 

 in the act of devouring venomous snakes, and on 

 other occasions have witnessed the snake being 

 killed. 



They will attack and kill the largest cobra. 

 Sometimes in the fight they get bitten and die, 

 for they are not immune to snake venom, as I have 

 satisfactorily ascertained by a series of experiments. 

 It, however, requires a large dose of venom to 

 kill one. 



On one occasion I introduced a Cape Cobra 

 (Naia ftava) into a spacious cage containing a 

 muishond. The reptile instantly reared and re- 

 mained on the defensive. With tail turned over 

 its back, the muishond began circling round the 

 snake, ever and anon making pretence to dart in at 

 it. Each time it did this the cobra lunged fiercely 

 forward, but the nimble little animal sprang aside, 

 and the head of the snake struck the floor of the cage 

 with a thud. However, so rapidly did it recover 

 itself that the muishond did not get an opportunity 

 of inflicting a bite. This went on for a full half 

 hour, until the snake was beginning to show signs 

 169 



