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English names

The common name needs little explanation - this species is well known for its fondness for honey. It is also frequently called the ratel. Ratel is the Africaans name for the honey badger, and is possibly derived from the Dutch word for a honey comb, raat [b005].

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Scientific name

Scientific name: Mellivora is derived from the Latin words mel or mellis (honey) and voro (I devour), hence "honey eater". Capensis means that the species was named for its presence in the Cape Province of South Africa, ensis being Latin for "belonging to". [b005].

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Names in other languages

• Czech: medojed [w022], medojed kapský [w123], jezevec medový [w105].
• Dutch: Honingdas [w177-01].
• Esperanto: mielo-melo; ratelo [w026].
• Finnish: mesimäyrä; hunajamäyrä [w023].
• French: Le blaireau mange-miel [w098].
• German: Honigdachs [w015].
• Hungarian: méhészborz [w024].
• Icelandic: Hunangsgreifingi [w119].
• Italian: il tasso miele [w003-02].
• Norwegian: Honninggraevling [w092].
• Swahili: Nyegere [w090].
• Swedish: Honungsgrävling [w096, w120].

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Picture credits

The honey badger photo used at the head of this Article is © Tim Davis / Photo Researchers, Inc. Used with the permission of the Northern Ohio Ferret Association. 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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