Countryman of the Honey Badger with a built-in “pepper spray” that sprays 4 meters (7 photos)

The Honey Badger has one relative with a trick, and what a trick! His secret, forgive me for the pun, is capable of keeping an entire pride of lions at a respectful distance.





Boring characters call him "African Ferret", but that name isn't clickbait enough, so we'll use another one. So, meet our hero - Zorilla!

The literal translation of the word “zorro” from Spanish is fox. The name was given for a reason, although you can’t tell from appearance. Mature males weigh 1.5 kilograms and reach a length of 28-40 centimeters (and with a tail, all 70), females are even smaller. Such a small thing is hardly suitable for ferrets, let alone foxes.



Degree of fox-likeness - 0

But humanity also knows another Zorro - an adventurer in black who does good deeds for people in need. And this already seems to be true, because the animal’s diet includes small rodents that can ruin the lives of local farmers. However, Zorilla generally eats everything smaller: reptiles, birds and large insects. It can chase particularly fast prey through trees, swim, and even climb into a hole.





With these claws you can climb anything.

If you fight for everything good against everything bad, then you can’t do without weapons. The human Zorro used a rapier and a whip, but the animal chose a much more extravagant weapon: 34 small sharp teeth and a stinking stream from the causative place.



Is he yelling aggressively or yawning furiously?

The teeth are great for attack, while the specific scent is great for defense. In case of danger, the animal turns its weapon towards the enemy and accurately shoots into the enemy’s eyes from a distance of 3-4 meters. This volley is approximately equal in effectiveness to pepper spray and causes a strong burning sensation. The humiliated and disoriented predator can only flee shamefully. Well, the black and white stinking little lump goes off to pick up the mamzels, as befits any heroic character.



If Zorilla gets into this position, run.

Being a solitary hero, this animal clearly delineates the boundaries of its personal space with the help of fragrant marks. He is ready to blind anyone who comes to him without asking. Well, in the spring, ladies eager for adventure come running to the scent of a man. Everything is simple for them - the stronger the smell, the more attractive the male. If the parties like each other, then love games of an hour or even 1.5 hours await them. Afterwards, the male leaves, leaving all parental worries to the expectant mother.



Mmmm... Natasha was here!

40 days later the zorilla will give birth to 2-3 mole rats. At about the 5th month of life, young people’s conscience awakens, they get off their mother’s neck and settle wherever their heart desires: in self-dug minks or cool basements of aborigines throughout Africa.



How do you like this pet?

The animal is very secretive, but finding it by its aroma will not be difficult. Those who especially love Zorilla can even tame it as a puppy. Such a pet is at risk of stepping on its tail, but it makes quite a decent mouser and protector of human bins!