[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Back in the Dark Ages, when I was in SE Asia, the gambling parlors (pachinko) used to have a cobra vs Mongoose game. In most cases the mongoose won.
Years later I read that a rattlesnake could beat a mongoose any day.

[nickcarraway]

The mongoose was juiced.

[Bob434]

if so it’s only because mongooses (mongeese?) aren’t immune to rattlesnake venom like they are cobra venom

[CommerceComet]

Years later I read that a rattlesnake could beat a mongoose any day.

That wouldn't surprise me. I understand that pit vipers are much faster strikers than cobras.

[DJ Taylor]

Back in those “Dark Ages” in Okinawa, they thought imported Mongooses would control Okinawa’s poisonous Habu snakes, but the Mongooses ignored the Habu snakes and went after the Okinawan’s chickens. Now, in addition to a Habu problem, Okinawans have a Mongoose problem.

[crz]

Rattlers are amount the fastest striking snakes in the world. But they strike low, unlike cobras that can get you as high as they stand up.

But, put a rattler up against a king snake and its all over for the rattler.