European badger

The European badger, aka Eurasian badger, is found throughout the majority of Europe and also in Asia. Even though they prefer conifer forests, deciduous forest, and mixed woodlands near open fields, they can handle a wide variety of other habitats as well. These critters can also be seen in scrublands, farmlands, grasslands, hedges, riverine areas, semi-deserts, and steppes. Due to their wide-spread distribution and stable numbers, these creatures are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their largest threats are from hunting and trapping.

First the Stats… Scientific name: Meles meles Weight: Up to 26 lbs. Length: Up to 2.3 feet Height: Up to 11.81 inches tall Lifespan: Up to 16 years

Now on to the Facts! 1.) European badgers are predominantly nocturnal (active at night), with some crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) activity.

2.) These badgers are very social, only amongst themselves. They gather into colonies of up to 12 individuals.

3.) A group of badgers is called a cete, clan, colony, sett, or company.

4.) In each colony, there are several large setts (communally maintained burrows) that are located throughout their territory. The primary sett is typically housed by the adults.

5.) These critters eat earthworms , eggs, frogs, insects, lizards, mice , rats , hedgehogs , rabbits , fruit, and carrion (dead animals).

But wait, there’s more on the European badger! 6.) Males tend to be monogamous (mating once in their lifetime), while females tend to be more polygamous (mating with more than 1 partner).

7.) The males won’t defend their potential mate from other males, but will defend the females against predators.

Did you know…? Their name hails from the French “bêcheur”, meaning digger.

8.) Mating seasons last from February – May and August – October.

9.) Females undergo up to a 12 month gestation (pregnancy) that yields up to 6 cubs.

10.) In Wales, they are called “moch daear”. This translates to earth pig.

But wait, there’s still more on the European badger! 11.) Due to their long claws and thick skin, they are able to successfully kill and eat hedgehogs.

Did you know…? These badgers can run up to 19 mph.

12.) They defecate (poop) in communal toilets that are located away from their setts.

13.) A single badger can eat several hundred earthworms in a single night.

14.) Wolves , lynx , wolverines , brown bears , and eagle owls all prey on these badgers.

Now a Short European Badger Video!

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Learn more about all kinds of cool critters, right here ! toolTips('.classtoolTips3','

These animals are active during dawn and dusk, or twilight. Animals that are crepuscular are typically so due to the fact that many predators are not active during those times of the day. But as in the case of being diurnal or nocturnal, sometimes the organism is crepuscular in an effort to obtain food that might be present at these times. Mule deer , desert cottontails , coyotes , porcupines , and black-tailed jackrabbits , to name a few, fit into this category.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips14','

Gestation is the process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth. In other words, pregnancy.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips16','

Predation is the ecological process by which an animal (or an organism) kills and feeds on another. The animal that kills to feed is called a predator . The 1 that is killed to be eaten is called prey.

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Organisms that are nocturnal are active at night. Animals that fit into this category are typically prey animals that rely on the cover of darkness as a defense. Granted, there are no shortage of predators at night. Some organisms adopt a nocturnal lifestyle due to climate issues. Many desert dwelling animals are nocturnal as it is simply cooler outside at night. Aardvarks , badgers , bandicoots , and aye-ayes are just some examples of nocturnal creatures.');

European badger

The European Badger