RATEL

also called Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis), badgerlike member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) noted for its fondness for honey. Ratels live in covered and forested regions of Africa and southern Asia. The adult stands 2530 cm (1012 inches) at the shoulder and has a heavily built, thick-skinned body about 6077 cm (2430 inches) long, plus a tail length of 2030 cm. The ears are rudimentary; the upper body parts are whitish, but the lower parts, face, and legs are blackthe two colours sharply separated. Ratels are nocturnal and live in burrows dug with their strong, incurved front claws. They feed on small animals and fruit and on honey, which they find by following the calls of a bird, the greater, or black-throated, honey guide (Indicator indicator); the ratels break open the bees' nests to feed on the honey, and the birds in return obtain the remains of the nest. Ratels are strong, fearless fighters but in captivity can become tame and playful. A litter usually consists of two cubs.