Despite their relatively small size, honey badgers are renowned for their strength, courage, and can-do-attitude. In this unusual footage, a lone honey badger tackles a snake many times its own size.
Wanzen Du Toit submitted this remarkable footage to Latest Sightings. He witnessed the interaction while visiting South Africa’s Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
View obscured
As we join Wanzen at his sighting, he is walking in a dry riverbed within the reserve. Something has caught his attention.
At first, it is unclear what we are looking at. Obscured by shadow, something is pulling at a long, slender object.
Python v badger
Hoping to get a better view, Wanzen quietly stalks closer, using a small bush to hide his approach. As he gets closer, we see a large African rock python on the ground.
However, it is still unclear what the other creature is. Eager to get a better view, Wanzen ventures closer still.
As he does so, we see that a honey badger is wrestling with the python
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Fearless feeders
While this is an unusual sighting, it should come as no surprise. Honey badgers are widely regarded as one of the most fearless creatures in Africa.
Additionally, snakes of all sizes regularly feature in their diets. Honey badgers are omnivores, eating everything from honey and fruit to insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals up to the size of goats.
Not fighting back
While we don’t know what preceded Wanzen’s arrival, it is striking that the python is doing little to defend itself. Although pythons are non-venomous, they can inflict a nasty bite.
Additionally, in different circumstances, a honey badger would be well within its ability to swallow. Obviously, the snake is more interested in surviving than it is in its next meal.
Outweighed vs outmuscled
We estimate that the snake would outweigh the badger by some margin. Adult honey badgers weigh up to 12 kilograms.
By contrast, female pythons can weigh up to 50 kg. As such, it is impressive to watch the badger slowly dragging the reluctant python across the soft sand.
No clear goal
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As the battle continues, we can’t help but wonder what the badger’s end goal is. Throughout the sighting, its jaws remain latched to the snake.
It is making no obvious attempt to kill it. We can only assume that it is trying to get to cover where it can finish the job.
Additionally, it is unclear whether the snake is actually alive. At this distance, we cannot see any voluntary movement on its part.
Honey badger don’t care
Eager to see for himself, Wanzen ventures closer still. Only then do we see the snake lift its head as it tries to slither in the opposite direction.
However, as the video concludes, the badger is showing no sign of letting it go. We also note that it is completely unbothered by Wanzen’s presence. Honey badgers really don’t care.
