Next thing you know, you’re negotiating over your own meal! So the smart thing to do is to move. Somewhere quiet... shaded... away from prying eyes in the trees and bushes, or wings overhead. You’d do the same if your lunch could suddenly grow legs and walk away, or worse, be stolen mid-bite! Trust me, there is nothing more irritating than losing a perfectly good meal because you chose the scenic spot.

People seem to think our lives are all about dramatic snake fights and heroic poses. That’s just the highlights reel buddy. Day to day, we’re practical animals. Opportunists, really. Insects, rodents, birds, reptiles, eggs, carrion… they all feature on the menu… and they’re all delicious! Relocating prey is part of that practicality. Since I don't have the luxury of size or brute strength, a good strategy is vital! A quick grab, a firm grip and a quiet exit reduce the chances of interference. It also helps us avoid unnecessary confrontations. Winning a fight is one thing. Avoiding one altogether is better. Actually, that’s generally good advice to live by, regardless of species, don’t you agree? And since I know you’ll ask, no, this does not mean I’ve gone soft or ‘respectable’. I may have stepped away from the venom trade… temporarily… but make no mistake, I am still very much a Ruddy Mongoose. Strong jaws, lightning reflexes and an impressive tolerance for chaos are still my hallmarks! That’s what keeps my kind thriving across the dry forests, grasslands and parklands across the country. Now then, you’ve got your photos right? I’ve got a meal getting colder by the second. Same time next week? Just try not to catch me chewing. I have a reputation to maintain.

This Ruddy Mongoose was right in the middle of some important business when he bumped into our photographer during a morning safari in Wilpattu National Park. He paused for a moment to pose for the camera before trotting off to carry on with his meal. These lively characters are often seen rooting around the grasslands and forest edges around the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Wilpattu, and their curious and quirky nature means no two sightings ever feel quite the same!