Definition & Meaning of "honey badger"

What is a "honey badger"?

The honey badger, also known as the ratel, is a carnivorous mammal that is known for its ferocity, toughness, and adaptability. Honey badgers have a stocky build with a broad body, short legs, and a distinctive sloping back. They have a thick and loose skin that helps them twist and turn to escape from predators, and their fur is usually gray or brown in color with a coarse texture. Honey badgers are highly skilled hunters and scavengers, known for their ability to take down prey much larger than themselves, including snakes, small mammals, birds, and insects. They are also notorious for their fearless and aggressive nature, often taking on animals that are much larger and stronger than them, such as lions and hyenas. Honey badgers are solitary animals that are primarily active during the night, and they have a wide habitat range that includes savannas, grasslands, forests, and deserts in Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.