Chen Keree (Stripe-necked mongoose)

[Roopak Gangadharan]

There is a folklore in these parts about how the common mongoose when it meets its match in a snake and losses the battle seeks the help of the Chen Keree (Red Mongoose) and how it even gets to ride piggy back and show the way to its larger cousin when they go in search of the snake. The Red one then finishes the job and avenges the insult the snake has heaped on the mongoose clan. Some are of the opinion that the legendary chen keree is not the stripe necked mongoose but if one gets to see the colours on some specimens in the western ghats there is no better word to call it but Red mongoose with striking red covering almost all the coat.

500D, 55-250, 250mm, AE f5.6, ISO 400, 1/250 +0.7EC

Rgds
Roopak