The Badger – about the Eurasian MammalDonna L. Long

The Badger – about the Eurasian Mammal

Eurasian (European) badger (Meles meles)

Learning about the European badger is a nice change of pace from our usual North American mammals. This animals always has reminded me of American wolverine.

Many of the books that prompted me to keep my own nature journal were British. British animals and plants are often the books we read. Badgers, hedgehogs, and stoasts feature prominently in British children’s literature. Badger was my favorite character in the book, Wind of the WIllows by Kenneth Grahame. He was described as a homebody, wise, and steady. Pretty much like me.

Here is a very well researched article on this fascinating animal. It is a nice change of pace from our usual North American mammals.

Despite being rarely seen during daylight hours, badgers are easily recognisable and widespread on the British mainland. The low set animal has a solid frame , black and white striped face with grey body hair and a lighter underside.With an average weight of 15 kg.

via Meet the Model – Brian the Badger — Wildonline.blog

mammals_badger — European badger (Meles meles) also known as the Eurasian badger. yrjö jyske from Finland [CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

Badger Basics

Eurasian (European) badger (Meles meles)
Mammal
Range: native to most of Europe and parts of western Asia
Description: black, white, brown, and grey fur covers the body. White stripes are present on the head
Weight: 15 to 29 lbs
Habitat: deciduous and mixed woodlands, clearings, spinneys, pastureland and scrub
Food: wide range of animals and plants especially earthworms, large insects, small mammals, carrion, cereals and tubers
Young: spring litter of up to five pups
Lives in burrows called setts; badgers keep their setts very clean
In winter: hibernation begins in late October to November and ends in spring in March or April
Enemies: few natural predators; mainly docile, but will become aggressive when cornered
Human uses: Badger meat is eaten in some districts of the former Soviet Union, though in most cases it is discarded. Smoked hams made from badgers were once highly esteemed in England, Wales and Ireland.
Population status: relatively common species with a wide range and populations are generally stable