World of the Hell-raising Honey Badger Quiz

Answer: Mellivora capensis

The honey badger is the only species in the genus Mellivora, and was once assigned to the badger sub-family Melinae. It has now been observed that they are actually more closely related to the Guloninae family, with their bushy tails, big paws and retractile claws.

Nevertheless, the honey badger has its own sub-family name: Mellivorinae.

Answer: Boar

A group of honey badgers is called a 'set, cete, colony, or company'.

Honey badgers are in the same family as weasels and, just like them, are rather solitary animals. They tend to avoid humans if they can, and tend to keep each other company only with the intention of mating. However, kits will stay close to their mother for a long time of their young lives, to the point where they can grow bigger than the sow.

Answer: The skin is tight, forming stronger protection against anything trying to pierce it

The skin of a honey badger is so loose, and larger than the body, that once in the grasp of a predator, it can twist and turn, attacking whatever has it in its grip, with its sharp teeth and strong claws. The skin is also very thick, with a lot of animals unable to penetrate it.

The combination of thick and loose skin, makes for a very effective defense mechanism.

Answer: True

Honey badgers have evolved a resistance to certain snake venom toxins. Several genetic mutations in the honey badger mean that the snake venom is prevented from binding to cellular receptors, which would otherwise signal the immune system to shut down.

A small honey badger could be put into a coma for hours upon being bitten by a venomous snake, but it will simply awaken and resume hunting.

Answer: They are both typically found in the wild of North America

The honey badger is typically found around Africa and Asia. Its cousin, the American badger, is typically found in the wild of North America, although it does not have the fearsome reputation of the honey badger.

Answer: 2 months

The mother honey badger is very devoted to protecting her young. The kit will usually leave the sow at around 14 months of age, but sometimes even stay with her for two years.

Answer: False

Honey badgers have poor hearing, as well as poor eyesight. But their sense of smell is excellent, which they use to locate their prey, which they can smell through dirt, beneath them in burrows.

They have window-like protective flaps over the ears, which close during an attack, stopping bees from damaging their ears. They have trouble hearing long-range sounds through the air, and do not have good hearing. They also have small ears, possibly to avoid damage due to their frequent fighting, with animals of all sizes.

Answer: Ratel

There are several theories as to how the honey badger also became named the "ratel" - one is the warning, rattling noise that the honey badger makes, when threatened.

It is also said to be derived from the Dutch word for "honeycomb" - "raat."

Answer: Running

Honey badgers are built for endurance, and battle - not for speed. However, they can quickly dig, due to their strong foreclaws, creating burrows to hide and shelter in, within minutes.

Honey badgers are excellent swimmers and climbers, known to swim after baby crocodiles to hunt them, and take to the trees to pull puff adders from them.

Answer: False

Honey badgers take part in a high amount of polygamy, and the sow is the only one who has any part in raising the kits. The two honey badgers will be in each other's company for about two weeks, before parting ways, during mating. But more often than not, two honey badgers travelling together in the wild are likely mother and child.