Mellivora capensis
©Karl SvendsenMel means ‘honey’ and voro means to ‘devour’ and the genus refers to the honey badger’s habit of eating bee larvae and honey. Contrary to popular belief, it is actually the honeyguide bird that follows the honey badger to beehives, not vice versa, to access the site once the badger has opened it up.
©Shem CompionSize
95 cm long; 26 cm shoulder height
Weight
About 12 kg
Lifespan
20 years
Habitat
Wide habitat range - not desert/forest
Gestation
6 months
Number of young
2
Food
Bee larvae, honey, a wide range of small animals including a large percentage of mice, scorpions, spiders, lizards, snakes, some larger mammals and grubs. Scavenges occasionally.
Predators
Not many due to its ferocity!
Who Guides Who?
95 cm long; 26 cm shoulder height
Weight
About 12 kg
Lifespan
20 years
Habitat
Wide habitat range - not desert/forest
Gestation
6 months
Number of young
2
Food
Bee larvae, honey, a wide range of small animals including a large percentage of mice, scorpions, spiders, lizards, snakes, some larger mammals and grubs. Scavenges occasionally.
Predators
Not many due to its ferocity!
By Megan Emmett