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Why did Karait get killed by Rikki-tikki?

Rikki-tikki killed Karait because Karait threatened to harm Teddy.  


The fight between Karait and Rikki-tikki is very brief, and the build-up to it is even more brief. The text says Rikki-tikki was ready to be petted. Teddy is only too happy to oblige, and right when Teddy bends down, Karait announces his presence: "Be careful. I am Death!"


Karait is a "brown snakeling," meaning he is a young brown snake. There are two main types of brown snakes. The North American brown snake is harmless. Karait is not this kind of snake, because the text says his bite is as deadly as a cobra's bite. That means Karait is likely an Eastern brown snake. According to various sources, the Eastern brown snake is the second most toxic land snake in the world. That ranking puts Karait's venom as more powerful than Nag and Nagaina's venom. Karait is dangerous and threatening to Teddy. Rikki-tikki is a mongoose, and killing snakes is what he does. Add to that the credible threat that Karait is to Teddy. Rikki-tikki's instinct is to kill the snake and protect Teddy.  

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