The
honey badger (
Mellivora capensis), also known as the
ratel ( or ), 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. Despite its name, the honey badger does not closely resemble other
badger species; instead, it bears more anatomical similarities to
weasels. It is classed as
Least Concern by the
IUCN owing to its extensive range and general environmental adaptations. It is primarily a
carnivorous species and has few natural
predators because of its thick skin and ferocious defensive abilities.