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The unique evolution of mongoose badgers: Why can they resist snake venom and become ecological heroes?
The mongoose badger is a small terrestrial carnivorous mammal belonging to the family Herpestidae. This family has two subfamilies: Herpestinae and Mungotinae. The subfamily Meerkatinae contains 23 species found in southern Europe, Africa and Asia, while the subfamily Meerkatinae contains 11 species native to Africa. Meerkats appeared in the early Miocene about 21.8 million years ago and genetically diverged between 19.1 and 18.5 million years ago.
The name mongoose badger is derived from the Indian name for the species Herpestes, such as "muṅgūs" or "maṅgūs" in Classical Hindi.
Meerkat badgers have a long face and body, small round ears, short legs and a slender tail. Most mongoose badgers have mottled or gray fur, and some species resemble mustelids in appearance. Their non-retractable claws are used primarily for digging for food. Most mongoose badgers possess larger anal scent glands relative to other animals, which are important for territorial marking and communicating breeding status.
The tooth structure of the mongoose badger is similar to that of other carnivores, and it gains resistance to snake venom by modifying the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This uniquely evolved mechanism enables the meerkat badger to effectively prevent the binding of snake venom alpha-neurotoxin.
This mutation is unique in mongoose badgers because it is achieved through glycosylation.
The behavior and ecology of mongoose badgers are also fascinating. They feed primarily on insects, crabs, earth worms, lizards, birds, and rodents, and occasionally eggs and carrion. Some species can learn simple tricks and even be domesticated as pets to control pests.
Culturally, the mongoose badger played an important role in the religion of ancient Mesopotamia and was regarded as a sacred animal that warded off snake gods. Another famous mongoose badger character is Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. This character appears in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, which tells the story of a young pet mongoose badger who saves his family from danger. Invaded by venomous snakes.
The evolution and personality of mongoose badgers make them important players in the ecosystem. Their resistance to snake venom is not only a biological miracle, but also a hero in the ecosystem, keeping the ecosystem in balance. This ability not only attracts the attention of scientists, but also gives them a place in folklore. Meerkat badgers are unique in how efficiently they adapt to and thrive in dangerous environments.
As human activities have an increasing impact on the ecological environment, how can we protect these powerful and interesting creatures so that they can continue to play a role in nature?
