HOME

Honey badgers are jet black except for the gray mantle, separated by a white stripe, extending from the crown to the base of the tail. The colour of the mantle and stripe may vary from one individual to another and often becomes darker with age. The hair is coarse and is longer on the hind legs and tail. The badgers striking colouration makes them easily recognizable and they could only be confused with the much smaller Striped polecat  (Ictonyx striatus) and Striped weasel (Poecilogale albinucha) both of which weigh less than a kilogram. Honey badgers have a distinctive jog-trot and stand approximately 30cm high. Males may be twice the size of females (see fact file).

Honey badgers are well adapted to their digging lifestyle and have a powerful and stocky build, with no external ears, a broad muscular back, bowlegged front legs and formidable fore claws that may reach 40mm in length.

Scientific name:

Common names:

Mellivora capensis  (Schreber, 1776)

Honey badger, ratel, honey ratel.

Taxonomy:

As many as 10 subspecies suggested, currently being revised. 

Size:        total length

780 to 1020mmm 

                head

                body

                tail

                shoulder height 

                neck circumf.

25 to 155 mm

500 to 640 mm 

160 to 230mm 

230 to 300 mm

225 to 355 mm

Weight:    male

                female

9.0 to 14.0 kg

5.5 to 10.0 kg 

Diet:

Generalist carnivore

General distribution:

(See maps below)

The greater part of sub-Saharan Africa, through the Middle East to southern Russia, and eastwards as far as India and Nepal.

Habitat:

Altitude:

Wide tolerance, from semi-desert to rainforest.

Sea level to 4,050 meters.

Longevity:

Social system:

Breeding season:

Gestation:

Solitary, polygynous, males may form small groups.

None, breed throughout year.

6 - 8 weeks typical (may exhibit delayed implantation in some areas). More data needed

Litter size:

Conservation status:

Threats:

Predators: