Our guide to the honey badger explains where honey badgers are found, and how they survive:<\/p>\n
What is a honey badger?<\/h2>\n
The honey badger is a medium-sized mammal in the mustelid family, the same groups that badgers, weasels<\/strong><\/a> and otters<\/a><\/strong> belong to. It is the largest terrestrial mammal found in Africa, measuring between 55-77cm in body length (with an additional 12-30cm long tail) and 23-28cm in shoulder height. Females are smaller than males, but the average weight can vary across its range.<\/p>\n It has 4cm-long claws and teeth that are able to crack a tortoise shell.<\/p>\n The honey badger was once thought to be a type of badger species and so was grouped by scientists in the Melinae subfamily with species such as the European badger<\/a><\/strong>. However, it\u2019s since been found to be more closely related to the martens, and is now placed within its own subfamily, Mellivorinae.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Despite their reputation as the world\u2019s most fearless animals, honey badgers try to avoid trouble. I have seen them bolt for a hole after sniffing fresh lion or leopard tracks.<\/p>\n Honey badgers usually only attack when surprised by predators, which often happens when they are digging \u2013 with poor eyesight and their noses in the ground, they can be oblivious to their surroundings. When startled they rush at their assailants, releasing a potent scent from their anal glands, rattling and standing tall with their hackles raised. This usually scares the predator away. Even if a badger is caught, its loose skin enables it to twist round and bite its attacker.<\/p>\n Please note that external videos may contain ads<\/em><\/p>\n![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/06\/Honey-badger.-GettyImages-925988804-b567c44.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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Why are honey badgers so aggressive?<\/h2>\n