Wildlifeof India
Honey Badger
Bears, Dogs, Otters & Red Panda
Photo: (c) Lucy Keith-Diagne, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Mellivora capensis
Basic stats
Diet
Insects, frogs, tortoises, lizards, rodents, snakes, birds and eggs; raids beehives
Habitat
Wide range of habitats, from dry scrub and grassland to forest
Litter size
1–2 cubs, on average
Gestation period
50–70 days
Size
Body 55–77cm; tail 12–30cm; shoulder 23–28cm
Weight
Africa: males 9–16kg, females 5–10kg; Indian animals lighter, about 6–8kg
The honey badger, or ratel, is thick-set and broad across the back, with short, sturdy legs, very strong claws that are long on the forefeet, a small flat head, and ears that are little more than ridges. Its loose skin lets it twist freely when gripped, and the skin on the neck is about 6 mm thick. Females are smaller than males, and the few Indian animals weighed were small: a female at 6.4 kg and males averaging 8.4 kg (Wikipedia, general species account).
In India studies at Sariska Tiger Reserve and in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary found it highly nocturnal, and the Indian population is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Across its range it is a mostly solitary animal and a fast digger, tunnelling into hard ground in about 10 minutes. It has one of the least specialised diets in the weasel family, digging out burrowing prey and raiding beehives for larvae and honey. After 50–70 days a female bears one or two cubs (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Honey Badger eat?
- Insects, frogs, tortoises, lizards, rodents, snakes, birds and eggs; raids beehives
- What habitat does the Honey Badger live in?
- Wide range of habitats, from dry scrub and grassland to forest
- What is the litter size of the Honey Badger?
- 1–2 cubs, on average
- How long is the gestation period of the Honey Badger?
- 50–70 days
- How big is the Honey Badger?
- Body 55–77cm; tail 12–30cm; shoulder 23–28cm
- How much does the Honey Badger weigh?
- Africa: males 9–16kg, females 5–10kg; Indian animals lighter, about 6–8kg