MyKrugerHoliday
Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis) in Kruger National Park

Photo: Sumeet Moghe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source ↗

Mammals Other carnivores Uncommon

Honey Badger

Ratel · Mellivora capensis

Small but legendary for its fearlessness, the honey badger has a thick grey mantle over its back, a black face and belly, and powerful digging claws. It will raid bee hives for honey and grubs, dig out snakes, and stand its ground against animals far larger than itself. Its loose, tough skin lets it twist around and bite back even when grabbed.

Log your Honey Badger sighting — free →

How to identify it

Unmistakable: a low, sturdy body with a pale grey 'cape' over the back and a black underside.

Look for its tracks

Broad front foot with LONG claw marks well ahead of the pad; five toes, walks turned-in and pigeon-toed.

Where to see it in Kruger

Wide-ranging across the park in many habitats, but uncommon and most active around dawn, dusk, and night.

Did you know

It can survive bee stings and even snake bites that would kill most other animals.

Often confused with

See it? Log it — free.

MyKrugerHoliday is a free, offline field guide and one-tap sighting log for a Kruger self-drive. No ads, no account, works with no signal.