One fine Sibaya morning found me sitting at our usual hangout: the picnic table on the porch at Camp Winterdodger. I was contentedly writing in my journal, trying to keep up with the events of our trip. Nicholas had just woken and joined me on the porch with the camera in hand, taking more photos of bugs.

A flash of movement off the side yard caught my eye. The domesticated half wild cat, Bagheera, was jumping around wildly. Then he paused and froze, front rightpaw lifted in the air. Directly in front of him was a cobra. Though it was small, it still could pack a venomous punch and at the moment it was in full cobra strike mode with its hood flared out. Immediately I called Nicholas to forget the bugs and get the cat.

Dazed Cobra

The duo stared each other down for a few agonizing seconds before the cobra struck. Bagheera, however, had anticipated this move and smacked the cobra, claws out, directly in the head while he simultaneously jumping out of the way. The snake quickly regained its senses and immediately struck again. Bagheera, once more was ready for it, and in a marvel of acrobatics, smacked the snake and twisted his body mid air to avoid the venomous bite.

After a few more spar and parry’s the snake was visibly shaken. We tried to call Bagheera away from the snake, but he was having too much fun. Before the snake could take respite into the bushes, Bagheera smacked him again. The snake half heartedly parried, but the cat’s reflexes proved to be superior. After a couple of more hits, the snake lay, unmoving. Bagheera went in for the final blow, bit the snake on its head, and proudly paraded his kill in front of slack jawed Nicholas and I.

Cat Attack!

We later found out that the young cobras in fact are more lethal, because they’ve yet to control their venomous injections. Adults know it takes a lot of energy to create more venom, and therefore will control the amount they inject when they bite. Young snakes don’t understand this and will empty their venom supplies in a single bite if given the opportunity.

Bagheera was too fast to even get bit, however. I checked him a few times for bites, and found none, though he definitely enjoyed me fussing over him. Instead of a gun or knife, I’ll just carry this kitty around in my handbag, thank you very much.