THE STRIPED MUISHOND OR’ STINK CAT 
for, although it may bound off, 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 flava) 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 
