If you were anywhere near an internet connection in 2011, chances are you’ve come across the notorious honey badger (scientifically known as Mellivora capensis). This creature took the online world by storm with a viral YouTube video that has amassed over a staggering 100 million views. To put things into perspective, that’s quite an achievement for a video that’s not even a Beyoncé music masterpiece! The video showcases captivating footage from National Geographic, featuring honey badgers fearlessly devouring snakes using their razor-sharp teeth, skillfully maneuvering in reverse, and even chasing after jackals. What made it even more amusing was the narrated commentary laden with colorful language. Believe it or not, some individuals, including pop sensation Taylor Swift, have claimed to have the entire video committed to memory. It’s safe to say that the honey badger and its “honey badger don’t care” mantra became the temporary obsession of millions back then. So, if you missed out on this internet sensation, it’s time to catch up!
The honey badger has achieved quite a reputation in the online world thanks to a hilarious three-minute comedy sketch. However, this newfound fame may lead us to believe that we are well-acquainted with this peculiar and solitary creature, when in reality, we barely scratch the surface of our understanding. The truth is, honey badgers pose quite a challenge for researchers as they are incredibly elusive and tough to study.
According to Derek van der Merwe from the Endangered Wildlife Trust in South Africa, it is quite remarkable how honey badgers have gained popularity in America. When we had a conversation with him in 2019, he mentioned that they receive numerous calls from Americans eager to come and film these creatures, all thanks to a famous YouTube video. However, what many people fail to realize is the immense challenge involved in filming these honey badgers. Not only are they highly intelligent, but they also prefer to forage during the night and have extensive territories that can reach up to a staggering 310 square miles (802 square kilometers).
Honey badgers, also known as ratels in Africa (possibly derived from the Dutch word “raat” meaning honeycomb), are fierce mammals that bear a closer resemblance to weasels than European badgers, despite their similarity in appearance with a peculiar white bowl-cut extending down their backs. Surprisingly, honey does not play a significant role in their diet, although their love for beehives often leads them into conflicts with humans. Being omnivorous, honey badgers have a rather adventurous palate, devouring a wide array of both plants and animals. It matters not to these fearless creatures whether their food was already lifeless, or if it exceeds their own size, or even if they have to fend off a troop of adult lions in order to claim their meal. A significant portion of their diet consists of snakes, making up approximately a quarter of what they consume. Unconcerned with societal judgments, the honey badger eats whatever it desires, enjoying a truly diverse menu.
Honey badgers are quite versatile when it comes to their habitat preferences. These resilient creatures can be found in diverse environments ranging from lush forests to arid deserts, predominantly residing in dry regions of Africa, Southwest Asia, and India. The male honey badgers claim massive territories spanning up to 190 square miles (500 square kilometers), which they diligently mark with their unique and pungent aroma. They are always on the move, meticulously patrolling their extensive domains. On the other hand, female honey badgers have relatively smaller territories covering up to 60 square miles (150 square kilometers). During their ovulation period, they communicate with male honey badgers by leaving notes in the form of urine at shared latrines, signaling the perfect time for them to rendezvous.
Honey badgers have a reputation for not giving a care about their fellow honey badgers. They prefer to live a solitary lifestyle, only coming together occasionally to mate. However, they still show some concern for their offspring, as mothers take care of their young.
Honey badgers are incredibly smart creatures, and it’s not by chance. These adaptable animals live in the wild and are capable of hunting and devouring a staggering 60 different species. From deadly cobras to tiny bee larvae, they use their powerful claws to catch and consume their varied prey. To maintain such a diverse diet, honey badgers must possess problem-solving skills that go above and beyond. They are known for their ability to navigate challenging situations by digging, climbing, and contorting their bodies to fit through tight spaces. Honey badgers are true puzzle solvers who constantly face new challenges in their quest for survival. In fact, they have even been observed using tools to acquire what they desire, a trait typically associated with highly intelligent animals like primates. It’s clear that honey badgers’ intelligence is a result of the demanding circumstances they face in the wild.
Honey badgers are well-known for their unmatched ferocity and fearless nature. They have even earned the title of “World’s Most Fearless Creature” according to Guinness World Records. These relentless animals are so tough that they are sometimes given the nickname “honey badger” by determined athletes. However, despite their reputation for being invincible, honey badgers are actually quite small, standing at just 11 inches (28 centimeters) tall. They are also not very fast, which makes them vulnerable to attacks from larger predators and other animals. Nonetheless, honey badgers possess a highly durable skin, powerful legs, and sharp 1.5-inch (4 centimeter) claws capable of cracking open a tortoise shell. As a result, when faced with predators, honey badgers opt for an offensive approach as their strongest line of defense. This strategy enables them to assert their dominance and fend off larger threats.
According to van der Merwe, the honey badger possesses an interesting advantage due to its loose and thick skin. This unique feature enables the honey badger to twist its body almost entirely within its skin. Moreover, if the honey badger is bitten by another animal on its back, it can swiftly retaliate by biting the aggressor back with its sharp teeth. Equipped with long claws on their front paws and sturdy legs, honey badgers employ these assets not only for digging but also for combat. Inexperienced predators, such as young leopards, lions, or hyenas, may attempt to attack a honey badger once. However, they quickly learn their lesson and never dare to make the same mistake again.
The honey badger is known for its fierce encounters with venomous snakes, but don’t be fooled into believing that it is naturally immune to venom. Although honey badgers devour a variety of venomous creatures, their immunity is not innate but rather developed over time. The process by which honey badgers acquire this ability is not well-researched or comprehended. However, it has been observed that mother honey badgers invest a significant amount of time in raising each pup, ranging from 14 to 18 months. During this period, the mother gradually introduces her young to venomous animals, beginning with the least venomous scorpions and gradually progressing up the venom ladder until the youngster is able to consume cobras and puff adders.
Scientists have conducted extensive research to understand the remarkable ability of honey badgers to withstand snake venom. This investigation offers valuable insights for the development of more effective antivenoms to aid snakebite victims. Throughout the generations, honey badgers and their ancestors have developed a molecular resistance to these venomous compounds. To illustrate, there is a particular neurotoxin in cobra venom that specifically targets a receptor present in human beings. This toxin has disastrous consequences as it essentially paralyzes our respiratory muscles. However, honey badgers have undergone a mutation in their receptors, rendering them incompatible with the neurotoxins. It’s as if their receptors have become square, while the neurotoxins remain round, unable to fit into the receptor’s altered shape.
Misconceptions about honey badgers often lead to false assumptions regarding their defensive capabilities. Many believe that honey badgers possess weaponry similar to porcupine quills or utilize a skunk-like ability to release a pungent liquid when threatened. While honey badgers do store a foul-smelling substance in their anal pouch, they do not weaponize it in the same manner as skunks. Instead, they only release it as a last resort in dire circumstances. This distinction helps clarify the truth about honey badger behavior and eliminates the misconception surrounding their defensive tactics.
According to van der Merwe, there is a rather unpleasant occurrence involving honey badgers that attracts attention. Apparently, when these creatures meet their unfortunate demise, bees are often to blame as they sting the badgers to death. As a result, a certain substance is released from the badgers’ bodies, and let me tell you, the smell is absolutely unbearable. Van der Merwe warns that this substance is no joke, as once it gets on you, it becomes quite the challenge to remove. It’s safe to say that encountering this foul odor is something we should all strive to avoid at all costs.
Let me put it this way: Have you ever wondered about the incredible abilities of a normal person’s nose? Well, turns out it can detect a certain smelly secretion from anal glands up to an astonishing distance of 130 feet (40 meters)! Yup, you heard it right. This substance, believe it or not, has been said to have a soothing effect on bees. Can you imagine that? Bees buzzing around, getting a whiff of this mysterious scent and feeling all calm and collected. Nature truly never ceases to amaze us, does it?
Despite its fascination with beehives, the honey badger faces potential peril when raiding these buzzing abodes. While they possess an astonishing tolerance for numerous bee stings, pillaging a beehive poses grave dangers. Not only can the bees themselves be hazardous adversaries, but humans also pose a threat. Initially observed in South Africa, honey badgers were frequently discovered in the vicinity of bee colonies, seemingly indulging in honey consumption (hence their colloquial name). However, it has been revealed that their true interest lies in the bee brood – the nourishing larvae nestled within the honeycomb.
According to van der Merwe, in the early 2000s, the honey badger was classified as near threatened in South Africa. This was a result of beekeepers resorting to killing them due to the significant damages they caused to the beekeeping industry. Honey badgers had developed a knack for breaking into hives in search of bee larvae, which led to considerable financial losses for the beekeepers. The destruction of the hive itself, along with the resulting loss of honey and bees, amounted to a substantial sum. Consequently, some badgers adapted to rely solely on raiding beehives for sustenance, and as a consequence, they faced persecution.
However, in the last twenty years, the interaction between badgers and humans has significantly improved. We have witnessed a positive transformation in our connection with these fascinating creatures. It is as if bridges have been built, fostering understanding and cooperation between us. The once enigmatic and sometimes strained relationship has evolved into one of harmony and mutual respect. We have come a long way in harmonizing the coexistence of badgers and humans, making strides in nurturing a harmonious environment for both parties involved.
Van der Merwe explained how they addressed the issue of honey badgers accessing beehives in South Africa. In order to prevent the badgers from rolling the hives and reaching the bee larvae inside, they employed a few techniques. Firstly, they started raising the hives off the ground by 1.1 meters or strapping them together or to tires on the ground. This elevated position or secured attachment made it difficult for the badgers to reach the hives. In the past, many beekeepers resorted to killing honey badgers as they caused significant financial losses. However, since implementing these preventive measures, beekeepers no longer find the need to kill them. In fact, they have noticed a positive impact on the honey badger population, with increased numbers and range in certain areas. As a result, honey badgers have now been classified as a species of least concern.
Isn’t this amazing? Despite their not-so-pleasant temperaments, honey badgers play vital roles in the ecosystems they inhabit. Unlike other speedy predators, honey badgers use their digging skills to uncover rodents from their burrows. This feast then becomes a feeding opportunity for hungry birds of prey and ever-watchful jackals, who cleverly tail the honey badger. They either aim to snatch the honey badger’s catch or snag any leftovers, such as bee larvae. This intricate relationship helps maintain the balance within these ecosystems, all thanks to the resourcefulness of honey badgers.
Don’t worry, the honey badger is completely unconcerned.
So, get this – according to van der Merwe, honey badgers are not ones to put on a show when it comes to their mating habits. You won’t catch them in the act! But here’s the interesting bit: one confident honey badger dude can have his way with about 10 lucky ladies within his territory. Things are all good until another macho badger comes along and kicks him out. Talk about short-lived romance! It’s like a game of musical chairs for these badgers.