A genus of small carnivorous mammals, commonly known as mongooses, found in Africa and Asia.
From Greek herpestes meaning 'creeping animal,' derived from herpein 'to creep.' The scientific name was applied by Linnaeus to classify these quick, snake-hunting mammals.
Mongooses are famous for fighting cobras, but they don't actually have immunity to snake venom—they're just incredibly fast and agile at dodging strikes!
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