The sweet tooth of this fierce creature (Mellivora capensis) and its fondness for honey have led to its common name of honey badger, also known as the ratel. It works in co-operation with a honeyguide bird to find a bees' nest. The honeyguide first alerts the honey badger by calling and swooping until the animal follows the bird to the booty. Most of the bees flee from the honey badger's foul-smelling secretions, leaving their honey for the invader who, in turn, leaves grubs and honeycomb for its guide.
Described as having the courage of a lion, the honey badger has a formidable reputation as a hunter, undaunted by the size of its prey. It has been known to attack buffalo and wildebeest and even cattle and horses. Strangely enough, in captivity the honey badger shows another side to its character, becoming tame, playful and easy to train.
