many sources say that this species also guides honey badgers (ratels). friedmann (1955, quoted by harper) notes that sparrman said in the 18th century that indigenous africans reported this interaction, but friedmann adds that no biologist has seen it. according to dean and macdonald (1981), friedmann does quote reports that greater honeyguides guide baboons and speculates that the behavior evolved in relation to these species before the appearance of humanity. however, they state,