Meles meles (Linneaus 1758; 90cm long) is the European badger here nesting basal to larger honey badgers. This nocturnal, social, burrowing omnivore. Litters of five cubs are produced. Males have a larger sagittal crest.

Mellivora capensis (originally Viverra capensis Scherber 1777, 55-75cm long) is the extant honey badger or ratel, traditionally considered close to weasels. Here it nests with several extant taxa, like Meles (above). This carnivore has few natural predators because of its thick skin and ferocious defensive abilities.