Remember Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book story of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the valient mongoose who battles cobras intent on killling the family that rescued him from drowning? I was reminded of this vivid tale while watching a similar battle unfold before our startled eyes during yesterday's visit to The Living Desert.
Kirk, girlfriend Christy (visiting from LA for the La Quinta Arts Festival), and I threw in a visit to Palm Desert's zoological gardens since our March weather is sublime.
Our animal-starring drama commenced near the entrance to Eagle Canyon, the park's enclosed area for the big cats. Hearing a rustling from the grass-covered berm, my animal radar quivered. Waiting to see either a lizard or rabbit emerge, we were shocked to witness a dun-colored snake glide through the grass. As his true size emerged—a good five feet—we stood mesmerized. More rustling—a ground squirrel hot on the serpent's trail. Probably defending its nest.
Realizing it's time to fight, the snake coils defensively and sounds his distinctive rattles. It wasn't until that moment that I realized it was indeed a resplendent speciman of Western diamondback.
Undeterred by the rearing reptile, the squirrel darts around the grass, goading the snake. Who retaliates. Striking again and again. Somehow, the rodent adroitly deflects the swift fangs, springing vertrically upon each lunge.
When Christy and I can no longer endure the increasing tension of the unfolding drama—with its seemingly inevitable conclusion—we retreat to the caged animals for whom predators are but a dim memory. Emerging a good half hour later, we circle back to the entrance berm. Sure enough. There's the fearless Rocky still defending his turf; we can hear the rattling but the besieged snake is now out of view. Wishing a satisfactory denouement to the ongoing battle, we reluctantly continue our park perambulations.
Although the Butterfly Pavilion we visit next is alive with animated color, we can't stop talking about the once-in-a-lifetime scene we serendipitiously stumbled upon.
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