📷 Joseph Smit · Public domain
📷 Walther Dobbertin
📷 Smith
IUCN: Least Concern
Honey Badger
Mellivora capensis
KingdomAnimalia›PhylumChordata›ClassMammalia›OrderCarnivora›FamilyMustelidae›GenusMellivora
About
The honey badger is famous for its fearless defence, loose thick skin that twists against a grip, and willingness to attack venomous cobras and raid beehives for honey. It digs rapidly for rodents and scorpions and loosely follows greater honeyguides that lead it to bees' nests. Its boldness has made it a conservation icon, though farmers sometimes persecute it; its range is broadly stable.
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Savanna, dry forest, grassland, deserts, and mountains of Africa and Asia
🍃Diet Omnivore — rodents, snakes, scorpions, insects, honey, and fruit
📏Size & Weight Body 55–77 cm; tail 20–30 cm
•weight 6–14 kg
⏳Lifespan 7–8 years wild; up to 24 in care
🗺Range Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent
MammalMustelid
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Savanna, dry forest, grassland, deserts, and mountains of Africa and Asia
🍃Diet Omnivore — rodents, snakes, scorpions, insects, honey, and fruit
📏Size & Weight Body 55–77 cm; tail 20–30 cm
•weight 6–14 kg
⏳Lifespan 7–8 years wild; up to 24 in care
🗺Range Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent
Photo Credits
#1Joseph Smit · Public domain
#2Walther Dobbertin · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
#3Smith · Public domain
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