Mammal

Honey badger (ratel)

Mellivora capensis

हिन्दी: बिज्जू, कबर बिज्जू

On the Rajasthan Board's rare and threatened animals listIUCN: Least Concern

Honey badger, black below and silver-grey above, trotting on dry ground

Scientific name: Mellivora capensis
Hindi name: बिज्जू, कबर बिज्जू
Family: Mustelidae, order Carnivora
Group: Mammal
Conservation status: Least Concern
Length: About 60 cm, plus a 15 cm tail
Weight: About 6 to 14 kg

Small, fearless and almost impossible to stop.

Spot it Black below and silver-grey to white along the back, on short, broad legs with long claws.
Home Rocky, broken hills and river banks.
Food web Eats small mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, fruit, and honey and bee grubs.
Why it matters A tough small predator that keeps rodents and snakes in check.

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