Jan 16 2009
A Close Contest
We huddled together, my younger brother and I, close to a huge rock, watching the contest. The black mamba’s head was held high, ready for instant attack, while a few metres away the grey mongoose with its small forelegs stayed bottled up, waiting patiently but watchfully. For a split second we saw sprayed venom, but with born instinct the mongoose ducked, then sprang into the air, its tiny claws grazing the black mamba’s skin. The latter turned swiftly and surprised the mongoose, its viciously head puffed up, a forked tongue menacingly visible poking from its wide mouth. Now perched on top of a sharp rock, the mongoose prepared for another spectacular stunning leap. In the deep forest we held our breath, watching as lone spectators, intrigued and amazed by this battle of wits between two dangerous predators in this closely contested fight.
