The Ratel (Mellivora capensis), also known as the Honey Badger, is a member of the Mustelidae family. They are distributed throughout most of Africa and western and south Asia. It is the only species classified in the genus Mellivora and the subfamily Mellivorinae
Appearance
The Honey Badger has a very distinctive appearance thanks to the stark contrast between the white fur on its upper parts and the dark colouration underneath. Its fearsome front claws and tremendous strength make it a very efficient digger, a talent it uses both in digging up dung beetles for food and burrowing for shelter.
They have a great appetite for ravaging beehives. This causes conflicts with commercial honey producers, some of whom shoot, trap, or poison animals they suspect of damaging their hives.
A bird, the honeyguide, has a habit of leading Ratels and other large mammals to bees' nests. When a Ratel breaks into the nest, the birds take their share too.
The honey badger was first described by Schreber in 1776, and named as Viverra capensis, which placed it with the viverrids (the civets and mongooses) [w005-09].
Chris Wozencraft [w005-10] has suggested that Mellivora should be classified with the stoats, weasels and martens in the sub-family Mustelinae, and not in a sub-family of its own.
Mellivora capensis inaurita - from the foothills of southern Nepal [b016]
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