Later form of the honey badger (5)
I believe the answer is:
ratel
'the honey badger' is the definition.
('ratel' can be a synonym of 'honey badger')
'later form' is the wordplay.
'form' indicates anagramming the letters (another form of the letters).
'later' is an anagram of 'RATEL'.
'of' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ratel that I've seen before include "Badger-like mammal" , "One eats honey" , "Honey badger" , "one wanting honey" , "wild animal" .)