When this mongoose plays dead, you’ll die laughing
When a hornbill interrupts a group of dwarf mongoose (ooses? oosii?) at play, one of them runs up and decides to play… dead. Meanwhile, a group of people watching from a distance are dropping dead with laughter. According to Time Magazine, which featured this video last week, it’s common for the mongoose to flip on their backs when playing with each other, but less so with other animals, which is why the hornbill has that confused look on its beak. (via Thérèse B.)
Mongeese, obvs.
Aw, man! Apparently IT finally realized they forgot to block youtube when they did their network change a few weeks ago. 🙁
The hornbill does not want to play with the mongoose, who tries and tries to interest the bird but no! Finally the mongoose tries tackling the bird who cooly steps aside. I’m guessing these are juvenile mongooses? There needs to be a cam set up there.
This is from our live, twice daily safaris on YouTube at safarilive.wildearth.tv.
Thanks!
I’m going to try this tactic the next time I open the door to an unsolicited caller.
😀
Unsolicited Caller No. 1: Miss have you heard the good new [Alice Shortcake appears to drop dead]
Unsolicited Caller No. 2: clutching his sacred text: Damn it William we’re too late.
?
This little guy could give possums lessons on playing dead! ???
This has me ded!!!! And the mongoose is so earnest, well if it didn’t work the first, second, third, or even fourth time, maybe the next time you’ll pay attention to me. And the bird is like, dude you are so weird.
Do you mean weird like Hana is always thinking about Maru?
That mongoose seemed so disappointed the hornbill wouldn’t play with him 🙁
omg! So much fun in the animal kingdom. Neat they play with other species like that.
It reminds me of all the great pictures and videos of various animals meeting dolphins, getting booped by them, etc.
Some animals just have frivol in their soul.
If I were the same size as a dwarf mongoose I’m not sure I’d want to play with that Hornbill. It’s obviously a dinosaur wearing an unconvincing bird costume.
obviously a dinosaur wearing an unconvincing bird costume….hahahahahahah!
Really! Such a weird-looking bird.
Lol!
Fun fact, in case any of y’all aren’t aware: these days, most scientists accept that birds are a specialized subgroup of therapod dinosaurs. They’re most closely related to Deinonychosauria, which includes critters ranging from the pigeon-sized microraptor (which could fly) to dromeosaurus and utahraptor (basically the Jurassic Park raptors).
Yes! Birds are dinosaurs!! But I guess a Blue Footed Booby would know that.
For the past eighteen months I’ve been trying to tempt dinosaurs into my back yard with strategically placed nuts, seeds, mealworms, etc. Nothing seems to work. Does anyone have any tips for enticing the mighty blue-tit and bloodthirsty robin onto the premises?
I have both, Alice Shortcake, and I think it’s the suet balls I set out that attract them. But I only do that in winter. In spring/summer I plant bird/bee attracting flowers in my garden. Or it could be the meadow next door that provides insects and over which I have no control 🙂
My friend’s cat Gelly (short for “Genghis Khan”) was an indoor/outdoor cat. When she was older she would often play dead in the yard, and pounce on the squirrels and birds that came to investigate. It was a very successful tactic in the winter.
Mongoose 2: He’s dead Jim
Mongoose 1: I’m not dead yet
Hornbill: What did I walk into here .. a bad Star Trek or Monty Python Joke ?
??
I’m dead. No, wait, now I’m – ok, now i’m really dead this ti- ok, now, this time, really…..
Wait–maybe he’s giving the universal sign for ‘rub my belly.’
Mongoof!
Yes!?
The way the mongoose playing dead reminded me of something that I couldn’t remember until just now. Anyone remember the ending of Muppet Treasure Island when there’s the big fight scene and the goat goes “Ok, I give up, I’m dead.”?? Mongoose must have been taking lessons from the goat, lol.
Hornbill: Really, I’m just looking for the restroom.
That mongoose maneuver never got me out of school.