Wildlifeof Nepal
Honey Badger
Bears, Dogs & Otters
Photo: (c) Lucy Keith-Diagne, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Mellivora capensis
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly soft foods; small prey, honey and larvae
Habitat
Wide range, including burrows and termite mounds for shelter
Litter size
1–2 cubs on average
Gestation period
50–70 days
Size
Length 55–77cm; shoulder height 23–28cm
Weight
Up to 16kg
The honey badger, or ratel, is a stocky mustelid widely distributed across Africa, Southwest Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Adults measure 55 to 77cm in length and weigh up to 16kg. The ears are little more than ridges and the eyes are small, which probably helps avoid damage in fights, and the skin around the neck is about 6mm thick (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is solitary and may be active at any time of day, depending on the location. It has no fixed breeding season; after 50 to 70 days a female bears one or two cubs that stay under her care for about a year. It uses old burrows of other animals and termite mounds. Sources opened here are general to the species and do not describe Nepal specifically. Nationally Endangered (Nepal National Red List 2011).
Quick answers
- What does the Honey Badger eat?
- Mainly soft foods; small prey, honey and larvae
- What habitat does the Honey Badger live in?
- Wide range, including burrows and termite mounds for shelter
- 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?
- Length 55–77cm; shoulder height 23–28cm
- How much does the Honey Badger weigh?
- Up to 16kg