An albino honey badger was discovered on camera trap footage in South Africa, and it’s the first ever scientific record of such an animal.
The images were an incidental finding from a camera trap survey at De Hoop Nature Reserve, which was launched to determine the abundance of potential predators that may threaten a newly established penguin colony in the area.
The honey badger, or ratel, is known for its strength and tenacity. The critters have exceptionally strong feet and claws for their ninja-like defensive maneuvers, and long bodies covered with unusually loose, thick skin that allow it to twist and turn easily when fighting. These acrobatics make the animals extremely difficult to hold onto.
Their thick skin is also incredibly difficult to puncture; so quills, stings, and bites are not much of a concern for these guys. They regularly raid beehives to feast on larvae and honey, and will gobble down a wide variety of insects, frogs, snakes, lizards, and rodents without trouble. Honey badger don’t care.
Found throughout Africa, honey badgers will attack almost any animal, and can also hold its own against the world’s most notorious predators like lions and hyenas.
Even with this inherited condition, which often results in impaired eyesight and lack of camouflage, this albino honey badger will likely to be able defend itself just fine; and may even pass the trait along to another generation.
Albinism exists all over the animal kingdom. Find our other reports of exciting albino finds in the natural world here!
