Sketch of ratel skull.
Date 1988
Source V. G. Heptner, et al. (1988) Mammals of the Soviet Union, vol. 2, part 1b
Author N. N. Kondakov
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_V2P1b_-_Mellivora_capensis_skull.png
The honey badger or ratel (Mellivora capensis) is the only species in the mustelid subfamily Mellivorinae and its only genus Mellivora. It is native to Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. It is primarily a carnivorous species and has few natural predators because of its thick skin and ferocious defensive abilities.
