the WILD honey badger...
Jun 1st, 2006, 07:21 PM
#22
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A whole thread devoted to honey badgers!
Wonderful distribution Aby, thanks.
Here are my HB comments.
I had not seen a single honey badger on numerous safaris. Then I went to Zambia and saw 11! In the day, in the night, loners, pairs. A Mr. and Mrs. even joined us at 15 meters for at least 5 minutes in the Lower Zambezi on a walking safari. They were eating grubs and I was looking at them. I felt Dances with Wolves had nothing on me. I was Walks with Honey Badgers!
On one of the LZ night drives we had a very good view of a honey badger, even photographable in the spotlight. But we did not see much else. When we returned to camp and were asked what we saw one woman responded, a bit dejectedly, "just a honey badger. In contast I was chanting, "Honey badger, honey badger!"
Last August at Chitabe I got a view of a mother and baby honey badger scurrying about.
I have heard that baby cheetahs have those extra tufts of white fur so that they resemble honey badgers and this offers them a bit of protection.
I have also heard that when attacking animals, as opposed to vehicles, the honey badgers like to go for the private parts first.
Yes, they are a favorite and a treat to see. I think night drives offer the best opportunity for seeing them. Good luck iggy5858 with the honey badger and the rest of your safari.
Wonderful distribution Aby, thanks.
Here are my HB comments.
I had not seen a single honey badger on numerous safaris. Then I went to Zambia and saw 11! In the day, in the night, loners, pairs. A Mr. and Mrs. even joined us at 15 meters for at least 5 minutes in the Lower Zambezi on a walking safari. They were eating grubs and I was looking at them. I felt Dances with Wolves had nothing on me. I was Walks with Honey Badgers!
On one of the LZ night drives we had a very good view of a honey badger, even photographable in the spotlight. But we did not see much else. When we returned to camp and were asked what we saw one woman responded, a bit dejectedly, "just a honey badger. In contast I was chanting, "Honey badger, honey badger!"
Last August at Chitabe I got a view of a mother and baby honey badger scurrying about.
I have heard that baby cheetahs have those extra tufts of white fur so that they resemble honey badgers and this offers them a bit of protection.
I have also heard that when attacking animals, as opposed to vehicles, the honey badgers like to go for the private parts first.
Yes, they are a favorite and a treat to see. I think night drives offer the best opportunity for seeing them. Good luck iggy5858 with the honey badger and the rest of your safari.
Jun 1st, 2006, 10:23 PM
#24
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Lynn,
Wow, you have had some amazing luck. That attacking private parts comes from a reported case of a ratel killing a buffalo by castration. That's around a 30 pound animal killing a 1,500 pound animal known for its agression. Numerous other reports have added to the legend. I had an ongoing joke with my guide at Lebala where I would say 'honey badger' and he would screech a high pitched 'honey badger' while covering his private parts with his hands. The ratel certainly has a great claim on the toughest animal pound for pound.
The wolverine has a similar mystical reputation and is known to take food from grizzly bears. Very similar builds and attitudes but the wolverine comes in twice as big and also has a great claim on the pound for pound toughest title. The bottom line is the mustelid (weasel) family is a group of amazing animals that just isn't as well known as the canids and felines but is very impressive in its own right.
Has anyone seen a zorilla?
Wow, you have had some amazing luck. That attacking private parts comes from a reported case of a ratel killing a buffalo by castration. That's around a 30 pound animal killing a 1,500 pound animal known for its agression. Numerous other reports have added to the legend. I had an ongoing joke with my guide at Lebala where I would say 'honey badger' and he would screech a high pitched 'honey badger' while covering his private parts with his hands. The ratel certainly has a great claim on the toughest animal pound for pound.
The wolverine has a similar mystical reputation and is known to take food from grizzly bears. Very similar builds and attitudes but the wolverine comes in twice as big and also has a great claim on the pound for pound toughest title. The bottom line is the mustelid (weasel) family is a group of amazing animals that just isn't as well known as the canids and felines but is very impressive in its own right.
Has anyone seen a zorilla?
Jun 1st, 2006, 11:06 PM
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Hari
take a look at this link
http://www.americazoo.com/goto/index/mammals/279.htm
I was lucky enough to see 2 animals together on a night drive where we also saw Honey Badger, Civet and Caracal
Michael
take a look at this link
http://www.americazoo.com/goto/index/mammals/279.htm
I was lucky enough to see 2 animals together on a night drive where we also saw Honey Badger, Civet and Caracal
Michael
Jun 1st, 2006, 11:13 PM
#28
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Michael,'
Thanks.....Wow!!! spectacular drive, indeed. There's always one special drive on every trip.......with a lot of activity.
I remember seeing sitatunga, serval, cheetah and sub-adult cubs and black mamba on the same drive at Lebala.
Thanks for the link. Learning something new toay.
Hari
Thanks.....Wow!!! spectacular drive, indeed. There's always one special drive on every trip.......with a lot of activity.
I remember seeing sitatunga, serval, cheetah and sub-adult cubs and black mamba on the same drive at Lebala.
Thanks for the link. Learning something new toay.
Hari
Jun 1st, 2006, 11:22 PM
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Hari
that was just the night drive.
Prior to that we saw Lions and Wild Dogs hunting and killing a Steenbok that had been hiding in the grass close to the vehicle, but got scared when a vulture took off and started running.
that was just the night drive.
Prior to that we saw Lions and Wild Dogs hunting and killing a Steenbok that had been hiding in the grass close to the vehicle, but got scared when a vulture took off and started running.
Jun 2nd, 2006, 12:38 AM
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Another HB fan here having learned about them in several documentaries over the years... I was so longing to see one on our long 2004 trip but the one bloody drive I missed (my back was in agony and I just had to lie that one out) is the one on which my DH saw the HB!
Ah well, c'est la vie, I'll just have to go back!!!
Ah well, c'est la vie, I'll just have to go back!!!
Jun 2nd, 2006, 02:52 AM
#31
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I only just saw a pair of honey badgers last week. They were very close to the entrance of Sausage Tree Camp (Zambia). It was a nice day time sighting but too fast for my camera.
My only other sighting was when I disturbed one when walking back to my room at night in Gibbs Farm (Tanzania). It was looking through some rubbish and we both scared each other. Luckily it ran in the opposite direction, but its strength was very apparent as it knocked over anything in it's path!!!!
My only other sighting was when I disturbed one when walking back to my room at night in Gibbs Farm (Tanzania). It was looking through some rubbish and we both scared each other. Luckily it ran in the opposite direction, but its strength was very apparent as it knocked over anything in it's path!!!!
Jun 2nd, 2006, 06:04 AM
#32
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I may have to have a TEE SHIRT made up.
[they call me a...HONEY BADGER!]
By the way I had my wild sighting in the day time.
If I don't come back with photos of the HB- I won't come back!
[they call me a...HONEY BADGER!]
By the way I had my wild sighting in the day time.
If I don't come back with photos of the HB- I won't come back!
Jun 2nd, 2006, 07:04 AM
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Thanks Hari
I did not use my camcorder much this time, as I was learning to use an SLR (my first time!!!!). I saw some amazing things and I will have my photos up very soon with a brief report.
Gaurang
I did not use my camcorder much this time, as I was learning to use an SLR (my first time!!!!). I saw some amazing things and I will have my photos up very soon with a brief report.
Gaurang
Jun 2nd, 2006, 08:23 AM
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Iggy5858,
I may have to get that "They call me a Honey Badger" T-shirt also, since I am a Badger. A Wisconsin Badger (our state animal) which I have never seen in the wild in Wisconsin or anywhere else.
LZ produced the most honey badgers, but South Luangwa and Kafue also had their share. I think 11 was a record, certainly for me. Part of the 11 may have been the same animals reappearing, since they were sometimes sighted in similar surroundings. It's hard to tell them apart.
I may have to get that "They call me a Honey Badger" T-shirt also, since I am a Badger. A Wisconsin Badger (our state animal) which I have never seen in the wild in Wisconsin or anywhere else.
LZ produced the most honey badgers, but South Luangwa and Kafue also had their share. I think 11 was a record, certainly for me. Part of the 11 may have been the same animals reappearing, since they were sometimes sighted in similar surroundings. It's hard to tell them apart.
Jun 2nd, 2006, 09:20 AM
#36
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11 honey badgers!!!
the record in zoological records (literature) is... 12 (at one place!)
seen at a maasai cattle 'boma' where they were digging for dung beetle larvae.
{ everybody is quoting Kingdon 1977}
aby
the record in zoological records (literature) is... 12 (at one place!)
seen at a maasai cattle 'boma' where they were digging for dung beetle larvae.
{ everybody is quoting Kingdon 1977}
aby
Jun 2nd, 2006, 12:30 PM
#37
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I have seen them at Mashatu, Kwando Lagoon, Sandibe and Mombo. The last three in daylight, most were quite shy. When we were at savuti they were having one in camp most of the time at night, but we were not lucky enough to see him.
Jun 2nd, 2006, 06:45 PM
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A dozen honey badgers at one time--wow. I believe such a grouping is called a cete. Since I saw my 11 one or two at a time over a couple of weeks, I can only claim to have seen a solo or a pair, but not a cete.
Actually a better name for a dozen honey badgers is "SWAT Team" than a cete. What a force to be reckoned with. I would hope they were highly preoccupied with their dung beetles if I were anywhere in the vicinity.
(Since in another post, familiarity and unfamiliarity with English was mentioned. A SWAT team means Special Weapons And Tactics Team, which is used by police and the military for dangerous situations.)
Actually a better name for a dozen honey badgers is "SWAT Team" than a cete. What a force to be reckoned with. I would hope they were highly preoccupied with their dung beetles if I were anywhere in the vicinity.
(Since in another post, familiarity and unfamiliarity with English was mentioned. A SWAT team means Special Weapons And Tactics Team, which is used by police and the military for dangerous situations.)
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