AnimalTracks.wiki

What the sources say

Honey BadgerMellivora capensis

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Honey Badger profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 60 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

Profile updated

Source
01

Drabeck, Dean & Jansa 2015

Drabeck, Dean & Jansa (2015). Why the honey badger don't care: Convergent evolution of venom-targeted nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in mammals that survive venomous snake bites. Toxicon.

The page saysa muscle receptor that impedes snake toxin binding
The source saysThese convergent amino acid changes impede toxin binding by introducing a positively charged amino acid in place of an uncharged aromatic residue.Note: tagline; 'muscular nicotinic cholinergic receptor (nAChR), targeted by snake α-neurotoxins'
The page saysVenom resistance from a muscle receptor that impedes snake toxin binding
The source saysHoney badgers (Mellivora capensis) prey upon and survive bites from venomous snakes (Family: Elapidae), but the molecular basis of their venom resistance is unknown.Note: Final pass: 'venom resistance' is the paper's own term; 'toxin binding' from 'These convergent amino acid changes impede toxin binding'. 'neurotoxin' was dropped from the frontmatter because battleEngine.ts reads it as the badger being venomous.
The page saysHoney badgers, hedgehogs and pigs each independently changed the toxin-binding site of a muscle receptor that snake alpha-neurotoxins target.
The source sayshoney badgers, hedgehogs, and pigs have independently acquired functionally equivalent amino acid replacements in the toxin-binding site of this receptor
The page saysEach change puts a positively charged amino acid where an uncharged one used to sit, which impedes toxin binding.
The source saysThese convergent amino acid changes impede toxin binding by introducing a positively charged amino acid in place of an uncharged aromatic residue.
The page saysHoney badgers prey on venomous snakes and survive their bites.
The source saysHoney badgers (Mellivora capensis) prey upon and survive bites from venomous snakes (Family: Elapidae)Note: FAQ 1
The page saysSnake alpha-neurotoxins target a muscle receptor, and in honey badgers that receptor has an amino acid swap at the toxin-binding site, which impedes binding.
The source sayshoney badgers, hedgehogs, and pigs have independently acquired functionally equivalent amino acid replacements in the toxin-binding site of this receptor. These convergent amino acid changes impede toxin bindingNote: FAQ 1
The page saysHedgehogs and pigs evolved equivalent swaps on their own.
The source sayshoney badgers, hedgehogs, and pigs have independently acquired functionally equivalent amino acid replacementsNote: FAQ 1
The page saysVenom-resistant mongooses use a different change at the same sites.
The source saysIn venom-resistant mongooses, different replacements at these same sites are glycosylatedNote: FAQ 1
The page saysThree animals, one trick
The source sayshoney badgers, hedgehogs, and pigs have independently acquired functionally equivalent amino acid replacementsNote: lead-in
The page saysa muscle receptor
The source saysThe muscular nicotinic cholinergic receptor (nAChR), targeted by snakeNote: receptor type, used in tagline, superpower, blockquote and FAQ 1
The page saystags: immune-tank
The source saysThese convergent amino acid changes impede toxin binding by introducing a positively charged amino acid in place of an uncharged aromatic residue.Note: tag kept as a reinforced cellular defence, task #969

Source
02

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Mellivora capensis (ratel). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page sayscobras among its prey
The source saysCape cobras ( Naja nivea )Note: tagline; ADW lists Cape cobras among prey eaten in Kgalagadi
The page saysSmall rodents, snakes, eggs, birds, bee larvae and scorpions
The source saysfrequently dining on eggs, small rodents, snakes, birds, and frogs.Note: stats.diet; bee larvae and scorpions claims below
The page saysis a stocky member of the mustelid family
The source saysThis species is characterized by having a stocky body
The page saysIt has a body 60 to 70 cm long and weighs 8 to 12 kg
The source sayswith a body length of 60 to 70 cm and a mass ranging from 8 to 12 kg
The page saysIt lives across most of sub-Saharan Africa
The source saysspanning most of sub-Saharan Africa as well as the Arabian peninsula
The page saysWild honey badgers tend to live 7 to 8 years
The source saysHoney badgers in the wild tend to live between 7 and 8 years
The page saysLions, leopards and spotted hyenas are among its known predators
The source saysKnown Predators lions ( Panthera leo ) leopards ( Panthera pardus ) spotted hyaenas ( Crocuta crocuta )
The page saysbut lions and leopards tend to kill only older and weaker ones
The source saysLions and leopards tend to kill only older and weaker honey badgers
The page saysA threatened badger typically raises its hair, holds its tail up, makes a rattling sound and frequently charges.
The source saysThis is typically accompanied by a threat display where the honey badger's hair stands on end, the tail is held erect, a loud "rattling" sound is made. Honey badgers also frequently charge attackers.
The page saysHoney badgers eat eggs, rodents, birds, frogs and scorpions, and they raid beehives for the larvae and honey inside.
The source saysfrequently dining on eggs, small rodents, snakes, birds, and frogs.Note: scorpions and bee larvae from the ADW prey list and hive sentence; see next entries
The page saysfrogs and scorpions
The source saysyellow scorpions ( Opistophthalmus wahlbergii )
The page saysthey raid beehives for the larvae and honey inside
The source saysBee hives are preyed upon because the honey badger also likes to devour the bee larvae and honey inside.
The page saysIn the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park, in southern Africa, they have been seen eating Cape cobras and puff adders.
The source saysHoney badgers in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park have been observed consuming the following prey species:
The page saysCape cobras and puff adders
The source sayspuff adders ( Bitis arientans ), Cape cobras ( Naja nivea )
The page saysYes. Their skin may give them some protection from bees, but they are not immune.
The source saysWhile their skin may offer them some protection from bees, they are certainly not immune to the effects of bee stingsNote: FAQ 2
The page saysSome badgers caught in apiary traps have died from numerous stings.
The source sayshoney badgers have occasionally been caught in apiary traps and have subsequently died as a result of numerous bee stingsNote: FAQ 2
The page saysHives are still a target, because the badgers like to devour the bee larvae and honey inside.
The source saysBee hives are preyed upon because the honey badger also likes to devour the bee larvae and honey inside.Note: FAQ 2
The page saysIn the wild they tend to live 7 to 8 years, because of predation and the risk of injury.
The source saysHoney badgers in the wild tend to live between 7 and 8 years due to predation and risk of injuryNote: FAQ 4; 'because of' paraphrases 'due to'
The page saysBadgers bred in captivity live significantly longer.
The source sayshoney badgers bred in captivity live significantly longerNote: FAQ 4
The page saysA Skin Hard to Grasp
The source saysthe thick, loose skin makes younger badgers difficult to graspNote: heading
The page saysSnake Eaters
The source sayspuff adders ( Bitis arientans ), Cape cobras ( Naja nivea )Note: heading
The page saysthe group that holds weasels and otters
The source saysMustelidae badgers, otters, weasels, and relatives
The page saysin southern Africa
The source saysthe Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park in southern Africa
The page saysdangerLevel: High
The source saysHoney badgers can be quite fierce if startled by a human, thus making them a danger.Note: stats.dangerLevel, task #993: Chaotic is a reputation; read as a capability this is High ('Dangerous when cornered or provoked')

Source
03

Mammalian Species 2003

Mellivora Capensis. Mammalian Species, 2003.

The page saysA roughly 9 kg mustelid
The source saysMellivora capensis (Fig. 1) is a large mustelid (ca. 9 kg)Note: tagline
The page saysloose skin
The source saysSkin is tough, thick, and loose, preventing a predator from firmly grasping it and allowing honey badgers to turn in their skin and bite the attackerNote: tagline
The page saysMost of sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and eastward to India and Nepal
The source saysHoney badgers occur throughout the Middle East as far north as Turkmenistan and southwest Kazakhstan, then eastward to India and NepalNote: stats.habitat; 'most' is ADW's 'spanning most of sub-Saharan Africa' (body claim)
The page saysVenom resistance from a muscle receptor that impedes snake toxin binding, and thick, loose skin that stops a predator getting a firm grip and lets it turn and bite
The source saysSkin is tough, thick, and loose, preventing a predator from firmly grasping it and allowing honey badgers to turn in their skin and bite the attackerNote: stats.superpower; 'lets' paraphrases 'allowing'; receptor half in the tagline and 'a muscle receptor' entries
The page saysthroughout the Middle East, and eastward to India and Nepal
The source saysHoney badgers occur throughout the Middle East as far north as Turkmenistan and southwest Kazakhstan, then eastward to India and Nepal
The page saysin captivity, one lived 26 years and 5 months
The source saysIn captivity, the oldest honey badger lived 26 years 5 months
The page saysA honey badger's skin is thick and loose. It prevents a predator from getting a firm grasp, and the badger can turn around inside its own skin and bite back.
The source saysSkin is tough, thick, and loose, preventing a predator from firmly grasping it and allowing honey badgers to turn in their skin and bite the attacker
The page saysNear the throat the skin is 6 mm thick.
The source saysthe throat, skin is 6 mm thick (Kingdon 1977)Note: page header 'Near 4 MAMMALIAN SPECIES 721' splits the sentence after 'Near'
The page saysweightKg: 9
The source saysMellivora capensis (Fig. 1) is a large mustelid (ca. 9 kg)Note: battleStats.weightKg, task #969
The page saystags: desert
The source saysThey tolerate habitats with a rainfall of >2,000 mm annually as well as arid areas with <100 mm annual rainfallNote: tag kept, task #969
The page saystough, thick, loose skin keeps a predator from getting a firm grasp and lets it turn in its skin and bite the attacker
The source saysSkin is tough, thick, and loose, preventing a predator from firmly grasping it and allowing honey badgers to turn in their skin and bite the attackerNote: vibe.reason, task #969

Source
04

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Animal of the Week

Honey badger. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Animal of the Week.

The page saysThe 2002 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records named it the "most fearless animal in the world."
The source sayswas named the ‘most fearless animal in the world’ in the 2002 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records
The page saysOfficially Fearless
The source sayswas named the ‘most fearless animal in the world’ in the 2002 edition of the Guinness Book of World RecordsNote: heading

Source
05

honeybadger.com

The Honey Badger - F.A.Q. honeybadger.com.

The page saysone badger bitten on the cheek by a puff adder reacted to the bite and the site swelled up substantially, but it survived and was active again 5 hours later
The source saysA badger bitten on the cheek by a pufadder, reacted to the bit and the site swelled up substantially but the badger survived and was active again 5 hours later.
The page saysthere are a number of records of honey badgers killed by lions and leopards, and on one occasion by an African rock python.
The source saysthere are a number of records of them being killed by lion, leopard and on one occasion an African rock pythonNote: FAQ 3
The page saysThey are often considered to have no enemies apart from people
The source saysthey are often considered to have no enemies, apart from manNote: FAQ 3

Source
06

Earth Touch News Network

It's time to figure out just how smart honey badgers really are. Earth Touch News Network.

The page saysA captive badger named Stoffel was filmed at a South African rehabilitation centre using rakes and logs to climb his enclosure walls.
The source saysStoffel the honey badger escaping his enclosure at the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre in South AfricaNote: rakes/logs: 'the way Stoffel manipulates the rakes or logs he uses to escape'; 'using various objects as ladders to climb over walls'
The page saysrakes and logs
The source saysthe way Stoffel manipulates the rakes or logs he uses to escape
The page saysCambridge primatologist William McGrew called it astonishing
The source says"It is astonishing," says William McGrew , Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Primatology at the University of Cambridge
The page saysthat either honey badgers have been under-estimated, Stoffel is a one-off genius, or it is a hoax
The source saysEither honey badgers have been under-estimated, or this is a one-off genius honey badger, or it is a hoax.
The page saysscience writer Justin Gregg wrote that there are no studies of honey badger cognition in the scientific literature
The source saysThere are simply no studies of honey badger cognition anywhere in the scientific literature.
The page saystool use in honey badgers appears only in documentaries and campfire stories
The source saysExamples of tool use in honey badgers appear only in the form of documentaries or campfire stories.
The page saysIn 2014,
The source saysBy Justin Gregg May 08 2014
The page saysClever, or Just Famous?
The source saysTheir reputation for being a smart species is based solely on anecdote, not scientific study.Note: heading

Source
07

Do Linh San et al. 2016

Do Linh San et al. (2016). Mellivora capensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41629A45210107.

The page saysLeast Concern
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).Note: stats.conservationStatus

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.