The honey badger (Mellivora capensis), also known as the ratel (/ˈrɑːtəl/ or /ˈreɪtəl/), is a mammal widely distributed across Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.

It has a fairly long body, with a distinctly thick-set and broad back, and remarkably loose skin, allowing the badger to turn and twist freely within it.

The largest terrestrial mustelid in Africa, the honey badger measures 55 to 77 cm (22 to 30 in) long and weighs up to 16 kg (35 lb).

There are two pairs of mammae, and an anal pouch which, unusual among mustelids, is eversible, a trait shared with hyenas and mongooses.

It is primarily a carnivorous species and has few natural predators because of its thick skin, strength and ferocious defensive abilities.

In popular media, the honey badger is best known as an aggressive, intelligent animal that is fearless and tough in nature Viverra capensis was the scientific name used by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777 who described a honey badger skin from the Cape of Good Hope.

More distant relatives include Eomellivora, which evolved into several different species in both the Old and New World, and the giant, long-legged Ekorus from Kenya.

buchanani (Thomas, 1925) The honey badger has a fairly long body, but is distinctly thick-set and broad across the back.

[6][19][20][21][22] However, the average weight of three wild females from Iraq was reported as 18 kg (40 lb), about the typical weight of male wolverines or male European badgers in late autumn, indicating that they can attain much larger than typical sizes in favourable conditions.

[26] The honey badger possesses an anal pouch which, unusual among mustelids, is eversible,[27] a trait shared with hyenas and mongooses.

In the wild, honey badgers were confirmed to scent-mark while squatting, and it is suggested that this behaviour is an "important form of communication".

According to personal accounts, honey badgers in captivity were said to scent-mark in a squatting position, releasing fluid from their anal glands.

It is known to savagely and fearlessly attack almost any other species when escape is impossible, reportedly even repelling much larger predators such as lion and hyena.

[38] In some instances, honey badgers deter large predators by unleashing a pungent yellow liquid produced by the anal glands.

They accompany this with a threat display characterized by rattling noises, goosebumps, a straight, upward-facing tail, and general charging behaviour while also holding their heads up high.

This is likely indicative of the honey badger seeking areas comparable to those favoured by larger predators, and perhaps adopting a similar ecological niche.

[31] It devours all parts of its prey, including skin, hair, feathers, flesh and bones, holding its food down with its forepaws.

[46] In the Kalahari, honey badgers were also observed to attack domestic sheep and goats, as well as kill and eat black mambas.

[53] Parasites that infect honey badgers include flatworms such as Strongyloides akbari, Uncinaria stenocephala, Artyfechinostomum sufrartyfex, Trichostrongylidae, Physaloptera, Ancylostoma, and Rictulariidae.

Blood-sucking parasites known to infect this species include Haemaphysalis indica, Amblyomma javanensis and Rhipicephalus microplus.

In other cases, control programs that were meant for other predators such as caracals have led to unintentional honey badger deaths.

It also occurs in protected areas in many countries, such as the Kruger National Park in South Africa, and the Ustyurt Nature Reserve in Kazakhstan.

[35] In popular media, the honey badger has garnered a reputation for being an intelligent, fearless animal, with some people, such as Nick Cummins, adopting the name to symbolize these attributes.

These names stem from the honey badger's ability to repel larger predators, which has been highlighted in such a way as to gives the public audience the impression of invincibility.

The noises made when performing the threat display are cited as another component of the honey badger's invincible image.

Due to its ability of using tools, the honey badger is considered an intelligent creature and according to a BBC documentary titled Honey Badgers: Masters of Mayhem, captive individuals may work with others as cohesive unit to help unlock gates or enclosures with the use of tools; this has been met with skepticism.

The species' supposed fearless attitude is highlighted in the popular comic book Randall's Guide to Nastyass Animals: Honey Badger Don't Care.

[55] The native people of Somalia believe that a man becomes infertile after being bitten by a honey badger, hence the wide berth they give to the species.

[57][58] A British army spokesperson said that the badgers were "native to the region but rare in Iraq" and "are usually only dangerous to humans if provoked".

[12] In Kenya, the honey badger is a major reservoir of rabies[60][61] and is suspected to be a significant contributor to the sylvatic cycle of the disease.