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Predators

The remains of hog badgers have been found in the droppings of tigers and leopards in Thailand [b127], and it is to be expected that this badger will feature on the menu of these predators elsewhere in south-east Asia where their ranges overlap.

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Defences

By all accounts, the badgers that do fall prey to tigers, leopards or any other large carnivore do not give up without a fight. Pocock, writing in 1941, stated that when attacked, the hog badger is a "notoriously most savage and formidable antagonist, being gifted with exceptionally strong jaws, a thick, highly flexible and loose skin, and wonderful tenacity of life" [quoted in b007].

More recent accounts of the species differ slightly in their descriptions of the hog badger's reactions to a potential threat. According to Prater [referred to in b007], the animal arches its back, bristles its coat, and utters a grunting noise. Neal & Cheeseman [b001] confirm that the badger fluffs out its guard hairs, but state that the white throat is displayed, and describe the animal's vocalisations as "menacing growls". They also say that it will defend itself with its teeth and claws.

The hog badger may also endeavour to escape from predators by digging into the ground; Arctonyx has been known to dig itself out of sight when picked out with a spotlight beam at night. [b002]

Like other badgers, the hog badger may also emit a foul-smelling fluid from its anal glands when attacked. One source states this "awful-smelling secretion" is discharged when the animal becomes extremely frightened. [b035]

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Picture credits

The hog badger photo used at the head of this page is © Advanced Thailand Geographic Magazine, and used with the kind permission of Thon Thamrongnawasawat, TalayThai.com Manager. Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.

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