HOG BADGER
DESCRIPTION: Probably the commonest badger
of the North–East, it looks like an odd cross between a Wild Boar and a small
bear. Its coat is a uniform grizzled grey in contrast to the Honey Badger’s
(its closest relative) prominent pied colouration. The hairless snout is
longer, giving it a porcine appearance. The whitish face has two dark stripes
through its eyes as in the European Badger. Here, the similarity with true
badgers ends: the throat is pale and it has a black streak on the cheek, both
absent in true badgers. The white ears are prominent. Its legs and head are
darker than the rest of its body. The tail and claws are white unlike the Honey
Badger’s black ones.
BEHAVIOUR: It relies more on smell than
sight and gambols awkwardly like a bear when running. Other than using its
teeth and claws in defence if cornered, it releases a pungent odour.
DISTRIBUTION: North–east India HABITAT: Well-wooded countryside; deciduous forests.
Size: 55–70 cm
IUCN Status: Near Threatened
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