Ratel
the genus Mellivora. Two indica, the Indian, and M. ratel, the Cape ratel. The body is stout and heavily.
RATHENOW built, legs short and strong, with long curved fossorial claws, tail short, earconches rudimentary. General coloration iron-gray on the upper, and black on the lower surface, reversing the general plan of coloration, which is generally lighter on the under surface. A marked white stripe divides the gray of the upper parts from the black in the Cape ratel, which is said to live principally on honey. Jerdon says that M. indica, which he calls the Indian badger, is found throughout India, living usually in pairs and eating rats, birds, frogs, white ants, and various insects; and in the N. of India, where it is accused of digging out dead bodies, it is popularly known as the grave-digger. It doubt less also, like its Cape congener, occasionally partakes of honey and is often very destructive to poultry. In confinement it is quiet, and will eat fruits, rice, etc.