The honey badger, or ratel, is a mustelid that is widely distributed in Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Although its most common name bears the word "badger," it is more closely related to martens than it is badgers.

It is very recognisable from its distinctive reverse countershaded black and white body, which serves as an honest signal to its strength and ferocity, traits for which it is well-known. It is also famed for its fearlessness, with the 2002 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records listing it as "world's most fearless animal" and the 2011 viral YouTube video, "The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger" further popularizing this trait. The latter lead to the memetic spread of the phrase "honey badger don't care."

The honey badger's thick, loose skin protects it from the bees attempting to defend the hives which it raids for the honey and grubs. This skin also helps protect the animal from mid-sized larger predators such as dogs, and its looseness allows the animal to twist around and bite any handler or predator unless grabbed on the back of the neck.

The honeyguide, a bird which eats beeswax, is often rumored to guide honey badgers to bee colonies, but this is false; the behaviour is actually aimed at humans.

Taxonomy:

• mustelinae
• (Mellivora)
• honey_badger

More information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_badger