The passage discusses various animals that prey on cobras, including mongooses, monitor lizards, eagles, secretary birds, and even domestic animals like cats and dogs. Mongooses, despite their small size, are known to fight cobras and are often successful due to their agility and speed. Monitor lizards, on the other hand, have thick skin that protects them from cobra venom, making them a formidable predator. Eagles and secretary birds also prey on cobras, using their sharp talons and strong beaks to kill them.
The passage also mentions that some animals, like ground squirrels and roosters, can defend themselves against cobras when their young or territory is threatened. Additionally, king cobras are known to eat other snakes, including pythons and rattlesnakes.
The passage also touches on the behavior of cobras, including their ability to take a vertical stance as a warning or to dominate other cobras. It also mentions that cobras are sensitive to low temperatures and can be lethargic or even fatal in cold conditions.
Overall, the passage highlights the complex relationships between cobras and their predators, as well as their behavior and characteristics.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Cobras are considered the queen of snakes and are feared by many animals.
2. Mongooses are known to fight cobras and can be immune to their venom.
3. Mongooses live in large families, typically 4-50 individuals.
4. Mongooses are loyal to humans and often form alliances with other animals, such as rhinoceros birds.
5. Mongooses have been known to cooperate with warthogs and elephants.
6. In some parts of the world, mongooses are kept as pets to fight rats and snakes.
7. Mongooses can be quite affectionate with their owners and will often rub against their legs and curl up in their lap.
8. Despite their quiet disposition, mongooses will fiercely defend themselves against predators, including lions and hyenas.
9. Mongooses do not have innate immunity to cobra venom, but their agility and speed can save them from death.
10. Mongooses will often distract a snake's attention with false attacks before striking a fatal blow.
11. Komodo dragons are known to eat cobras and are immune to their venom.
12. Eagles are natural predators of cobras and can swallow them whole, even if they are quite large.
13. Secretary birds are also known to hunt and eat cobras, using their strong paws and beaks to kill them.
14. Roosters can defend themselves against cobras and have been known to kill them in some cases.
15. Ground squirrels will fiercely defend their young against cobras.
16. King cobras are known to eat other snakes, including rattlesnakes and pythons.
17. Cobras can take a vertical stance to dominate other snakes or as a warning to potential threats.
18. Cobras are sensitive to low temperatures and can become lethargic or even die in cold temperatures.
19. Cats and dogs can be fearless in battling cobras, and some breeds, such as Australian quarry dogs, are used to protect homes from snakes.
20. Mongooses, eagles, secretary birds, and monitor lizards are all natural predators of cobras.