Page 17 - How It Works - Book Of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, Volume 05-15

Environment

Why is the honey

badger so fearless?

Even lions know better than to mess with the ruthless honey badger!

hen you think of badgers, you incredibly strong, and they move with a a death wish, but this crazy little critter has
probably imagine shy, snuffl ing self-assured trot. They’re nocturnal, generally every reason to be so bold. Virtually no
W woodland creatures with pretty, solitary and a large brain-to-body size ratio predator can get the better of it, thanks to its
striped faces. But brace yourself, because the makes them master problem solvers. secret weapon: its rubbery skin. At over half a
honey badger – despite its sweet name – is a Honey badgers are also ferocious fi ghters, centimetre (0.2 inches) thick, it is almost
whole different creature. In fact, it holds the all rattling snarls and vicious lunges. They impenetrable to sharp objects, including

official Guinness Book of World Records title don’t think twice about giving attitude to spears, scorpion stings, and porcupine spines.
for most fearless animal in the world! hyenas – animals five times their weight, with Because the skin hangs loose around its

Despite their name, honey badgers actually jaws more powerful than a lion’s – and are muscular frame, a caught honey badger is able
have more in common with weasels than they reported to go for the scrotum. One account to twist right around and sink its vicious teeth
do with the other badger species. Around one even tells of a trio of honey badgers teaming and claws into its attacker’s face. It can take a
metre (3.3 feet) in length and 30 centimetres (12 up to chase a group of seven lions from their fully-grown leopard an hour to kill one of
inches) tall, their bodies are squat, stocky and kill. So, it may sound like the honey badger has these tenacious little beasts!

Little warrior Body Nose

How the honey badger’s body Built for strength and Incredible sense of smell;
can sniff out grubs and
stamina rather than
is tailor-made for toughness
speed, with muscular legs bugs deep underground,
and broad shoulders. or honey high in a tree.

Anal stink
pouch
Like their relatives
the skunks, honey
badgers can eject a
pungent,
foul-smelling
liquid to repel
predators.

Mouth
Strong jaws
and sharp
teeth capable
of crushing
tortoise shells.

Claws
Coat Skin Long and sharp
Bold, skunk-like black Thick and tough enough to resist dog bites – perfect for
and white patterning and porcupine quills; loose and fl exible to digging hard earth
warns other animals: allow the badger to turn and attack any and scaling trees
“keep your distance!” animal that grasps it. and obstacles.

How It Works 17