mellivora capensis

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

Mellivora capensis
    n 1: nocturnal badger-like carnivore of wooded regions of Africa
         and southern Asia [syn: {ratel}, {honey badger}, {Mellivora
         capensis}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Ratel \Ra"tel\ (r[=a]"t[e^]l), n. [F.] (Zool.)
   Any carnivore of the genus {Mellivora}, allied to the weasels
   and the skunks; -- called also {honey badger}.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: Several species are known in Africa and India. The Cape
         ratel ({Mellivora Capensis}) and the Indian ratel
         ({Mellivora Indica}) are the best known. The back is
         gray; the lower parts, face, and tail are black. They
         are fond of honey, and rob the nests of wild bees.
         [1913 Webster]