Blog Agog

Do honey badgers sham death?

• It has been reported that honey badgers will play dead when wounded (Kingdon 1977; Estes 1992). Recently a badger was found lying on the edge of a road in the Phinda Game Reserve (Kwazulu Natal, South Africa). <b>This individual appeared to be dead, but on closer inspection it chased the observer around his vehicle.</b> This badger may have simply recovered from a case of concussion (D. Varty personal communication). No evidence for badgers shaming death were observed in the Kalahari.