The Indian Grey Mongoose

Published on: 20/05/2019

DSC 1003 1

The Indian Grey Mongoose – Photograph: Chaitrika Reddy

At the hole where he went in
Red-Eye called to Wrinkle-Skin.
Hear what little Red-Eye saith:“Nag, come up and dance with death!
”Eye to eye and head to head,
(Keep the measure, Nag.)
This shall end when one is dead;
(At thy pleasure, Nag.)
Turn for turn and twist for twist —
(Run and hide thee, Nag.)
Hah! The hooded Death has missed!
(Woe betide thee, Nag!)



This is how Rudyard Kipling, author of the famed ‘Jungle Book’ introduces our animal of the month – the Indian Grey Mongoose. Named Rikki-tikki-tavi in the book, his story is of a valiant hero fighting an incredible battle with Nag and Nagaini, the Spectacled Cobras. Curious, brave, slender and quick is how he is described and that holds true to the nature of a real-life Mongoose.

DSC 1002

The Indian Grey Mongoose – Photograph: Chaitrika Reddy

Consisting of about 34 species, the Mongooses are known to many of us as oversized rodent-like animals which are mostly pests and a nuisance. But on the other hand, they are also considered lucky because they keep your backyard free of snakes as their diet consists of venomous snakes. This is precisely why they were introduced to Hawaii, the West Indies, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica – to control the snake population. It’s a common misconception that the Mongoose is able to withstand a serious bite of a Cobra by running away as soon as it is bitten and eating some sort of a magical herb. In reality, it’s the incredible agility and the evolutionarily adapted thicker skin that keeps the Mongoose from getting bit in the first place.

Although they are spotted scurrying throughout the day, the Indian Grey Mongooses are especially active during the early morning and evening in search of one of their favourite meals – the reptiles. They create their dens in holes and burrows and occasionally under rocks. So, it is of no surprise that Hampi, the town of boulders is home to hundreds if not thousands of these fascinating creatures. We have the pleasure of having them live right in our Kamalapura Palace – a family of 5-6 living in the tall grass and small boulders, trusting us enough to not cause them any harm.

I mean, if that’s not adorable, I don’t know what is.

WhatsApp-Image-2019-01-08-at-12.43.20-290x290

Chaitrika Reddy

Just like her name, she's every bit unique. Driven by her passion for wildlife and natural history, this accountant gave up her very well-paid life of numbers to spend time with the wild creatures that resonate with her soul . Her quick wit and twinge of sarcasm will keep you on your toes. She is a natural at finding patterns in nature and is known for her never-quit attitude. She's so scared of sounding egoistic that she had her best friend write this for her. Her only goal in life is to meet Sir David Attenborough and talk to him about his favorite dinosaur, Quetzalcoatlus. She has been repeatedly told not to read so much or the couple of white hairs she has are going to multiply in number. She's the happiest when she is hiking in the back-country and listening to the sounds of nature. She has just started learning bouldering in the hopes of her upper body strength improving and to be able to reach the cliffs where eagles roost. If you come searching for her in her cabin and don't find her, it's a good bet that she is out observing a sleeping owl or going through animal poo or wondering why the indigenous tribe buried its people that way.

 PP 3719

Cultural Extravaganza: Kodava Music & Dance Forms

Ghan Dhao 0851

The Kalahari Skies: An Everchanging Canvas of Colour

R6  6512

Secrets of the Badavilinga

R6  2949

The Jenu Kuruba Way: Honouring Nature’s Gifts

1

Namdroling - The Refuge

PXL 20230910 051155595

The San People of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve: Guardians of an Ancient Culture

ANEGUNDI FORT 1

Anegundi: ‘Monkey Business’ in the ‘Elephant Pit’

Kabini Blog Eagles Serpent Eagle

Birds to See Even If You’re No Birdwatcher

3M6A8590

A Visual Spectacle On The Tree Tops

WILD DOG 2

African Wild Dogs - one of Africa's most captivating carnivores and most endangered species

6

The Bylanes of Hampi

Coorg On The Wing Dark Blue Tiger

On The Wing: Where Do the Butterflies Go?

BROWN HYENA CUB

Discovering the Brown Hyenas of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

1

Life in a Forgotten Empire

 DSC6921

An Aural Journey through Nagarahole: The Sound of Life

Malabar Lark 1

On a Lark: Travels in Search of Song

Kodagu Stream by Santosh Saligram

Kodagu and Her Raintime Songs

Ramayana 2

Tracing the Ramayana Trail in Hampi

 DSC6385

Five Wildlife Sightings You Can Expect Without Going on Safari

ELEPHANTS

Into the Valley of Deception: The Central Kalahari Game Reserve

3M6A7922

The Cup That Cheers: The Changing Taste of Coffee

GSC 6158

Mountain Dweller: The Blue-capped Rock Thrush

portuguese-carrack-ships-14186

The Spice Route: How spices changed the world

1

Treasures Hidden in Plain Sight

3M6A6462

Amazing Ankasamudra

EveryWherever RajivShyamSundar Hampi-12

Where Stones Sing: The Hemakuta Hill in Hampe

 DSC3817

Craft Calling: Traditional Lambani Arts and Crafts and the Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra

R6  7662

The Path of a Downfall

1Kabini VinothChandar

The Kabini & Kaveri Chronicles

cicada-night-santosh-saligram

An Aural Journey through Nagarahole: The Language of Deception

male tiger kabini © santosh saligram

An Aural Journey through Nagarahole: The Sound of Tardiness

Elephant Families 2

Caretaking in Elephant Families

lioness and cubs

The Desert Lions of the Kalahari

LEOPARD'S EYES

Taking Terrific Photos on Safari: Getting the Trophy Shot

4

Adapt and Survive: Reaching the Pinnacle of Specialisation

Gham Dao - Jan 22 -168

In Pursuit of the Pride

DSC 0951b

THE UPSIDE-DOWN WORLD OF THE HANGING PARROT

10685477 803891233006240 6938362231288327194 n

The Virajpet Clock Tower

6C3A9186 kkdpnq

The Kalahari Basin

EB Stills-125

A time with the first people: The Old Ways

EB Stills-113

Into the night – nocturnal life in the Kalahari

common hawk cuckoo santosh saligram

An Aural Journey through Nagarahole: The Seen and the Sawing

fi

Hampi Ruins in the 1900s: Stellar Photographs From A Forgotten Historical Text

fi

Touring Kabini with Your Eyes Closed: An Aural Journey through Nagarahole: Alarms True and False

IMG 3527 2

North Karnataka’s Threesome — Badami, Aihole, & Pattadakallu

50F04A79-BB6B-4212-9678-F7C8BA4D5D59a

A Coorg Bride’s Trousseau

Greenish-Warbler

The World of Warblers

DSCF5447

What’s Cooking: A Day with the Chef

DSC 8539

Barbet Battleground

PHOTO-2022-08-26-14-05-25

Hampi Ruins in the 1900s — The Gateways into the City

IMG 3068

Badami Caves — A Feast for Your Eyes

15a

The Diamonds of the Vijayanagara Empire

fi

Architectural Wonders

Lion with Porcupine 1

A Lone Porcupine fights off an entire pride of Lions!

Temple as viewed from the river 2

Yantroddharaka Hanuman Temple – A Deep Dive

SO1

The cute little denizens of the Kamalapura Palace, Hampi

fi

The Tale of the Tungabhadra

IMG 1384

Geological Note on Hampi’s rocks

Elephant Stables in Hampi

On the trail of the elephant in Hampi

603577 10151112098784049 2080128102 n

Hampi – The Other Side of the Coin

Img0689-Local-BreadsJallad-RotiAkki-RotiRagi-Roti-1200x800

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Jallad Roti | Akki Roti

Img0759-Qubani-ka-Meetha-and-Shahajahani-ka-Meetha-1

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Qubani ka Meetha and Shahjahani ka Meetha

unnamed-1

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Murgh-e-Lazeez

Img0833 - Nizami Machali ka Salan

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Nizami Machali ka Salan

Img0782-Dum-ki-Nalli-1200x800

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Dum ki Nalli

Img0512-Anapa-Ginjala-Pulusu-1

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Anapa Ginjala Pulusu

3

Sabu – the First Indian Star in Hollywood

FI

An Aural Journey through Kabini: Pre-Dawn Critters and Jitters

Bull Frog 2

A Naturalist’s Office

Img0731-Raan-e-Kamalapura-1200x800

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Raan-e-Kamalapura

Img0813-Bhaghara-Baingan-768x512

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Baghara Baingan

Img0564-Natukodi-Pulusu-768x512

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Natukodi Pulusu

Img0526-Tondekai-Palya-1200x800

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Tondekai Palya

Img0573-Royala-Igaru-1200x800

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Royala Igaru

Img0637-Pulihora-1-1200x800 1

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Pulihora

Img0704-Koli-Chuttada-1200x800

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Koli Chuttada

Img0607-Karibale-Cutlets-1200x800

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Karibelle Cutlet

 MG 8292 final u0ogqz

The Battle of Talikota and the Sacking of Hampi

kori chicken

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kori Ghee Roast

Experiences-Banner gacnt8

The Kalahari is in a constant state of flow

1280px-Suricatos  Suricata suricatta  parque nacional Makgadikgadi Pans  Botsuana  2018-07-30  DD 32

Seven Animals to see in the Kalahari Desert

Gham Dao - Jan 22 -6

Of creatures great and small

sunset-g91a4fcc3c 1280

Ten Interesting Facts About the Kalahari Desert

Img1642

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Vazhachundum Thoran

Img1550

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Mezze Platter

Img1613

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Grilled Pork Ribs

fi

Of Tufts and Tails

fi

An Aural Journey through Kabini: The Beginnings

Varhara - Royal Emblem of Vijayanagaraa

Harihara & Bukka: founders of the Vijayanagara Empire

Img1722

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Pazham Puzhungiyathu

Img1601

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Peppercorn chocolate mousse

Img1583

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kabsah Laham Bis

Img1669

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Vazhakanda Thoran

Img1767

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Banana Bajji

Img1732

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Pazham pori

Img1692

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Joojeh – e – Koobideh
 

Img1474

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Vegetable Kurma

Img1495

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Idiyappam

Img1780

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Appam

Img1521

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kadamputtu

Img1507

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Pandi Curry

Img1548

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kerala Fish Curry

DSCN6057

Nalknad Palace – off the beaten track in Coorg

save-cauvery

Mother Goddess Kaveri

Red-whiskered Bulbul

(Not) The Garden Variety Bulbul

3. Pandi Curry

Pandi Curry – the Emperor of Kodava Cuisine

GSC 5425

Under the veil of rain and darkness

 MG 0010

Kodava Brides – keepers of tradition

Coffee Museum

Designing the Sidapur Coffee and Culture Museum

JTR1 DSC 0095

Special Ingredients of Kodava Cuisine

The purple liquid

The Purple Elixir – Maddh Thopp

3M6A9407

Why you should put a backwater boat safari at the forefront of your Kabini visit – 2

fi

The Master of the Seas

SAN 6516

Why you should put a backwater boat safari at the forefront of your Kabini visit – 1

01

Chikka Veerarajendra of Coorg and his Thirteen Wives

DSC 2068

Kodava Cuisine – Festive Food of Coorg

2 Duotone Geometric patterns kadaga

Kodava Jewellery – Design Deconstructed

Bitter orange Wikimedia Commons

Kodava Cuisine – Seasonal Food of Coorg

IMG 5851

The Architecture of Ainmanes: Form follows Function

Kaimada

Kodava Ainmanes – the heart of the Kodava Clan

Lingarajendra shown engaged in hunting a drawing by Thippajappa of Shimoga

Shikar with Raja Lingarajendra

Wikipedia commonsWatercolor guest house of the Raja of Coorg by John Johnson

A Guest House for the British

Orange-County-Article-A-Photographers-Guide-to-Coorg-part-II-by-Prathap-Photography-001

A Photographer’s Guide to Coorg – 2

Orange-County-Article-A-Photographers-Guide-to-Coorg-by-Prathap-Photography-004

A Photographer’s Guide to Coorg

Malabar Gliding Frog evolveback 1

The Enchanted Woods!

312959-1345036410 sourced from web

Princess Victoria Gowramma of Coorg – 2

Veerarajendra Gowramma in London - 1852

Princess Victoria Gowramma of Coorg

Orange-County-Article-The-Mesmerizing-Monsoons-in-the-Magical-Coorg-by-Prathap-Photography-006

Of Clouds and Waterfalls

Orange-County-Article-The-Mesmerizing-Monsoons-in-the-Magical-Coorg-by-Prathap-Photography-002

The Mesmerizing Monsoon of Coorg

Img1941

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Sutta Sigadi Mathu Hannugalu

Img1903

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Masala Raagi Cheela

Img1971

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Tandoori Zaffrani Paneer & Tandoori Phool

Img2094

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Tumbida Ginnu

Img2192 B

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Raagi Mudde Bassaru

Img2024

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Hurida Meke Mamsa

Img2082

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Masala Hoo Kosu

3M6A0969a

Hidden in Plain Sight

GSC 5685

On Invisible Trails

Img1884

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kuruba Adina Saru

Img1911

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Sutta Naati Koli

Img2144

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Savatekayi Suttadu

Img2042

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kendadali urida sigadi mathu meenu

Img1838

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Bidirinalli Beyisida Koli

Img2112

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Vaje Bale

1

A Date with the Wild

Img1979

From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Hurida Koli

blackpanther1

First glimpse of god – the Black Panther of Kabini

FY423RgakAAEsUr

The Battle of Raichur: The Beginning of the End

727x527

‘Monument Mithras’ (Friends of Monuments)

DSC 0106

Vijayanagara Empire – the origins

167 2

Kinnal Craft: Artistic Heritage in Wood

3M6A6267a

Beyond the Open-Air Museum

bird only

Farmers of the Forest

1

Life of a Tiger Mother

Image 6

Bagheera – Down to his Knees!!!

image 2 1

The Magic Continues

 15A8800

Kabini – a heartfelt tribute

Image 2

Bagheera’s first appearance !

IMG 0502

The Legend of Karapura

3M6A9407

The Elephant Mating Game

IMG 8798

The Story of Bhimanakolli

 MG 1573

Kabini – a brief introduction

IMG 8725a

The Lost Temples of Kabini

Highway 1

A Face-off on the Highways of Kabini

IMG 8571

Flame of the Forest

Kabini image3a

A Foggy Morning in Kabini

DSC 1003 1

The Indian Grey Mongoose

Navabrindavana-7

Nava Brindavana – an Ode to Madhva Philosophy

royal stepped tank

A Tale of Two Travellers – 2

DSC 0123

Crafting Livelihoods

Krishnadeva Raya and his two wives

A Day in The Life of Krishnadeva Raya

bank of the river tungabhadra and virupaksha temple

A Tale of Two Travellers

 DSC1936 2

The Unseen Predator – the Indian Grey Wolf

Leopard Chital Kill-1150

Leopard – The Ambush Hunter!

santosh-saligram 2

The Kabini Migration

leopard 2a

Where The Ghost of the Jungle Comes Alive

Jackals Nagarahole-6199a

The Return of the Jackal

Black Panther Injured-8281

Phantom of the Forest!

3M6A7548

Anegundi – a Photo Walk

Carvings of dancing girls on the walls of the Mahanavami Dibba

Of A Grandeur Long Forgotten

FI

The Women of Ancient Hampi

IMG 4438

A Glimpse of Village Life

FI

Hampi: Undiscovered and Reimagined

Krishna Temple Complex, Hemakuta Hill.

The First Photographic Record of Hampi

Hampi-Neeta-PhotoStory-07

The Ruins of the Achutaraya Temple

Hampi abstract 1

Vignettes of the Past

Hampi wildlife 1

The Wild Denizens of Hampi

IMG 5735

The Dancing Girls of Hampi

 DSC6747

Vijayanagara Courtly Style

IMG 5747 1 featured imaged

Horsepower in Hampi

Hampi-Neeta-Blog1-02

The Myriad Feelings of Hampi!

Continue your booking