The Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis), also known as the Ratel, is a member of the Mustelidae family. They are distributed throughout most of Africa and western and south Asian areas of Baluchistan (eastern Iran), southern Iraq, Pakistan and Rajasthan (western India). It is the only species classified in the genus Mellivora and the subfamily Mellivorinae. They have been named the most fearless animal in the Guinness Book of World Records for a number of years.
This little guy wanders around aimlessly looking for something to eat. He lives off of the scraps of other animals. He does this until he finds his Honey Guide.
Honeyguides are named for a remarkable habit seen in one or two species: they guide humans, and possibly other large mammals (such as the Honey Badger) to bee colonies. Once the mammal opens the hive and takes the honey, the bird feeds on the remaining wax and larvae.
This little bird waits until she sees a Honey Badger near by. Then she swarms on him, flying around his face, bothering him greatly. He tries to swat her away but she doesn't give up. Eventually a natural instinct kicks in and the Honey Badger decides to follow the Honeyguide. She leads him to a bee hive.
The Honey Badgers hide is impermeable to Bee stings. His only vulnerable area is the tip of his nose. So the Honey Badger can easily rip open a Bee Hive and have a sticky lunch. But he never forgets to pay his Honeyguide. He leaves her a well rounded meal in return for her discovery.
You can watch the whole thing go down here in my new favorite movie, Animals are beautiful People.
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