Few people would argue that lions are one of the most fearsome creatures in the African bushveld. However, one creature doesn't care about reputations. The honey badger.
Luan Swart submitted this short video to Latest Sightings. She filmed the incident on the S28 in the southeastern Kruger National Park, South Africa.
As apex predators, lions have a deserved reputation for fearlessness. However, the honey badger also shows little regard for danger.
As Luan's video rolls, we see two young lions on the alert. They've heard a sound behind a bush, and rise to investigate.
While their mother merely raises her head, the siblings set off in pursuit. Then, we hear Luan call out in surprise as a honey badger appears on the road.
As it does, it looks to the right and sees the two big cats poised to attack. While many animals might give up at this point, the badger shows only mild alarm.
Literally taking this new information in its stride, the honey badger simply turns and angles away from the lions. Seeing the honey badger move away, the lions give chase.
To begin with, the only indication that the badger is at all bothered by its pursuers is when it raises its tail. The badger issues this as a warning, and if ignored, it may release a noxious anal secretion.
Seeing their 'target' escaping, the young male and female lions gallop after it. Meanwhile, the badger glances over its shoulder, tracking their progress.
When the badger crosses the road, it veers to the right, with the lions right on its tail. As it disappears from view, we hear the badger making its distinctive warning 'rattle' vocalisation.
Incidentally, the Afrikaans name for a honey badger is 'ratel', meaning rattle, in reference to the sound made when agitated.
Hearing this, the male seems to start having second thoughts about this chase. Or perhaps the badger released its chemical defences.
Either way, he leaves the outcome to his sister. Unfortunately, what happens is hidden from view.
Meanwhile, the other members of the pride look on with interest. Perhaps, having previously encountered honey badgers, they're not keen to get involved.
As the young male looks back to his pride, his uncertainty only grows. But, just as he has left his sister to deal with the badger, his pride seems content just to watch.
Subsequently, the growling from behind the bush gradually subsides. But we are still none the wiser as to what happened back there.
As the video ends, the young male remains rooted to the spot. Perhaps, in time, he'll grow into his reputation.
As seen, honey badgers are well-equipped to defend themselves and have been recorded doing so against everything from snakes to elephants. Once annoyed, their self-preservation instinct is relentless.
Their first defensive layer is their bold, black and white coloration. Next, they use noxious chemicals and warning growls.
If their aggressor does manage to get hold of them, their thick, loose skin allows them to survive a mauling. Their hide simultaneously enables them to turn on their attacker, using powerful jaws and claws to repel the assault.