Honey Badger

About Honey Badger:

• It is also known as the Ratel, and is related to skunks, otters, ferrets, and other badgers.
• Honey badgers are omnivorous and nocturnal mammals that belong to the weasel family.
• These creatures are known for their powerful, curved claws, which they use to dig burrows for shelter. Their diet is diverse, consisting of small animals, fruit and honey.
• They are known for their solitary nature and their ability to twist and turn to escape predators.
• Distribution: They are found in parts of Africa and Asia.
  • Also they have been recorded in a few other locations in India, such as Bannerghatta National Park in Karnataka, Chilika Lagoon in Odisha and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. 
• Ecological Significance:
  • They play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by preying on smaller animals and pests, helping to control populations and protect crops.
  • They contribute to nutrient cycling by enriching the soil through their diet and waste.
  • They are important indicators of ecosystem health, ensuring a diverse and thriving environment for other species.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Least Concern
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule I

Q1:What Is a Terai region?

It is a strip of undulating former marshland, it stretches from the Yamuna River in the west to the Brahmaputra River in the east. It is the northern extension of the Gangetic Plain in India, commencing at about 300 meters above sea level and rising to about 1,000 meters at the foot of the Siwalik Range.

Source: Uttarakhand’s Terai forest yields first-ever honey badger recording on camera