rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymongooseSnake-hunting mammal
noun

mongoose

MAHN-goos/ˈmɑːŋɡuːs/

A small carnivorous mammal known for hunting snakes.

The mongoose grips the cobra just behind its head.

An Indian grey mongoose gripping a cobra just behind its head, with the mongoose’s distinctive long body, pointed muzzle, small rounded ears and thick tapering tail clearly visible.
Etymology
mongooseMarathimongoose

The animal name comes from an Indic language, with Marathi mangus offered as one possible source; its deeper ancestry is probably Dravidian.

In context

WILD NATURE - Nature animal documentary14:39
the African mongoose no thick hide no venomous fangs no obvious size advantage yet it actively seeks out venomous snakes
World’s Deadliest Snakes (FULL EPISODE) | A Brutal Fight for Survival | Animal documentary

More examples

  • A mongoose searches beneath the rocks for insects.
  • Several mongooses gather near the entrance to their burrow.
  • The mongoose disappears into the tall grass.

Forms

mongoose · mongooses