1 COBRA VERSUS 7 SQUIRRELS AND A MONGOOSE

This astonishing moment unravels when ground squirrels and a mongoose gang up and bully a cape cobra, in an attempt to protect their young. This fascinating sighting took place at Nossob Campsite in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

"We were having lunch in Nossob campsite after a morning game drive. We were a bit disappointed because there had been no real exciting sightings. My husband was the first person to see the activity at the campsite near the swimming pool area. We saw the cape cobra and ground squirrels and knew something was bound to happen! We grabbed our cameras, and set off for a closer view."

"When we got closer we saw that the ground squirrels were trying to keep the cape cobra away from their underground burrows, where they raise their young. The squirrels took turns constantly attacking the cobra from different angles. Suddenly a mongoose appeared and took over. At that stage, the ground squirrels took a rest and watched from the side as the mongoose had its moment to defend and attack."

"After a while, the mongoose withdrew, while the squirrels again tried to deter the cobra. When the mongoose finally came back into the attack, the cape cobra decided it best to leave the scene. They all followed him to ensure that he was leaving for good."

"My best photographic opportunity ever."

"For me, this was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I do not think that a lot of people can say that they've had the opportunity to photograph such an interaction with all these species on their doorstep at a campsite."

"Almost everybody in the camp gathered to watch the encounter and there was heaps of excitement and interaction. It happened over a long weekend and there were a lot of parents with their young children. One father said that this was an experience that no child can have in any school. And that he felt so privileged that his children could have experienced it. One of the young boys said that it was the best sighting ever, better than any cage fight."

"I am terrified of snakes, but the way the ground squirrels and mongoose prevented the snake from moving in any direction reassured me somewhat, especially from where we were standing, I had a sense of security. I was very afraid that the mongoose or ground squirrels might die but later heard that they both have strong resistance to the venom of the cape cobra. If someone had told me that before the fight, I surely would have enjoyed it a lot more."

"We all encouraged the mongoose and the ground squirrels to finish the fight as winners."

"For me, there is no better activity than driving around in our country's fantastic parks (including bordering countries Botswana and Namibia) and photographing wild animals. This is therapy for my soul and I wish I could do this all year round. I do not think we always realize how privileged we are to have all these fantastic parks on our doorstep. I think taking photos for a photographer is like painting for Picasso or music for Mozart. We are in our own little world trying to create our own masterpieces."



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[pirakkaesh]

Never seen an orange cobra before. Must be a rare shiny! ✨️

[Mellow]

As soon as the mongoose got involved the squirrels were like, "leave it to you mate" best of luck 🤣

[hokahey]

The cobra is like "Why is everyone just standing around taking pictures and nobody helping me?"

[HooRideHooBang]

What a beautiful Cobra, never seen a Color like this on a Cobra.

[goodrich]

After the Mongoose showed up the Squirrels were just like 🍿🐿

[randomkinkajou]

The thumbnail looks do edited, but it's actually real. I'm impressed.

[Tyrell-do]

Life sucks when you've got no arms.

[teanistillmon]

That is one bad ass Cobra. He stood up against many and survived. That is some serious bravery. Hats off to him..

[qbconnect]

Good thing the cobra was in fighting shape. The goal was to wear him down before going in for the kill. The mongoose realized he wasn't tiring at all and gave up

[vellinari]

Slithering stuck in the middle, 7 feet tall, weighing 13 pounds, THE COBRA.

Bullying from the left, right, top and bottom, they are the world tag team champions 'SQUIRRELS AND MONGOOSE'.

This is a 2 on 1 handicap match to leave the territory.

Result:
The winner of this match and still the world tag team champions 'SQUIRRELS AND MANGOOSE'. Snake left the territory.

[slockywush]

I love the brilliant colors of the cape cobra

[wildguy]

2:08 cobra was like "help me" 😂💀

[lizardninja]

Imagine going to school in Africa in an area where they have safaris and just *going* to the safari as a field trip!

[blackpanther]

Crazy how the squirrels were chilling on the sidelines watching the mongoose take on cobra

[Marcos_]

the agility of the mongoose and the squirrels crazy

[dreyb]

At the end, the Mongoose to the squirrels was like 🙄: Y'all need to call the town snake exterminator or something. I'm not paid enough for this dangerous job. (Leaves)

[superveggieabhi]

1:43 the reaction time of mongoose is almost insane and unreal.... the way it jumped backwards within fraction of a second

[SuhailAhmedSharif]

Beautiful Cobra, lovely color and a real victor...haven't seen a Mongoose give up before...that Cobra was indeed special.

[donniev]

Great video, both the quality of the snake and mongoose imagery was excellent.

[cintronproductions]

I love how the squirrels use their tails as fake heads to trick the snake into striking at the tails instead of the squirrel's actual heads. I still felt kinda bad for the snake tho cuz I thought it wouldn't be able to make it out alive, this seemed like a hopeless situation but eventually it tired out the mongoose until it lost interest, giving the snake an opening to escape. Also is it just me or does that mongoose have goat eyes?