128 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



speak, as it is higher on the legs than the true Badger, and also has 

 a very pig-like snout. The native name for the animal, Bhaloo-soor 

 (Bear-pig) recognises this, as well as the English title. The Hog-badger 

 is said to be able to stand on its hind-legs as readily as a Bear; in 

 its general habits it is not unlike the common Badger, being omni- 

 vorous and dwelling in rock-crevices or burrows. 



THE RATELS 



THE Ratels (Mellword) are more bear-like in general form than the other 

 Badgers, and are remarkable for having no external ears and for their 

 very short and scanty coat. Two species have long been distinguished, 

 the African (Mellvvora cafensis) and the Indian (M. indica], but they are so 

 closely allied that they might fairly be reckoned as local races of one. 

 Both are black below and on the muzzle, and grey above, the African 

 species having the grey upper parts bordered with white. Recently an 

 entirely black species (M. cottoni) has been described from the Ituri forest 

 in Central Africa. 



Like Badgers generally, Ratels live on the ground and in holes, but 

 climb trees occasionally. They seem to be more carnivorous than the 

 ordinary Badger, and the Indian species is said to dig up graves in order 

 to devour corpses, which, after all, is a feat any carnivorous animal which 

 is a good burrower might be expected sometimes to perform. 



The African Ratel is very fond of honey, and is said to be guided to 

 it by those wonderful little birds the Honey-guides (Indicator), so well 

 known for their habit of taking men into partnership in honey-getting. 

 In captivity Ratels live remarkably well, and are most amusing animals ; 

 whatever their habits may be in the wild state, they are active enough by 

 day in captivity, and show themselves remarkably good climbers. They 

 also so frequently show the habit of turning somersaults, that it would 

 seem likely that this is one of their actions in a wild state, whatever the 

 purpose of it may be under those circumstances. 



