European badger: Difference between revisions

| image_caption = In [[Ähtäri Zoo]], [[Finland]]

The '''European badger''' ('''''Meles meles'''''), also known as the '''Eurasian badger''', is a [[badger]] species in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Mustelidae]] native to almost[[Europe]] alland [[West Asia]] and parts of [[EuropeCentral Asia]]. It is classified as [[least concern]] on the [[IUCN Red List]], as it has a wide range and a large, stable population size which is thought to be increasing in some regions. Several subspecies are recognized, with the [[nominate subspecies]] (''M. m. meles'') predominating in most of Europe.<ref name=iucn /> In Europe, where no other badger species commonly occurs, it is generally just called the "'''badger'''".

Although classified as a [[carnivore]], the European badger feedsis an [[omnivore]], feeding on a wide variety of plant and animal foods, including [[earthworm]]s, large [[insect]]s, small [[mammal]]s, [[carrion]], [[cereals]], and [[tuber]]s. Litters of up to five cubs are produced in spring. The young are weaned a few months later, but usually remain within the family group. The European badger has been known to share its burrow with other species, such as [[rabbit]]s, [[red fox]]es, and [[raccoon dog]]s, but it can be ferocious when provoked, a trait which has been exploited in the now-illegal [[blood sport]] of [[badger-baiting]]. BadgersLike many wild and domesticated species of mammals, badgers can be carriers of [[bovine tuberculosis]], which alsocan affectsspread between species and can be particularly detrimental to cattle. In England, badger populations are culled to try to reduce the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle,<ref name="Downs">{{cite journal | vauthors=Downs SH, Prosser A, Ashton A, Ashfield S, Brunton LA, Brouwer A, Upton P, Robertson A, Donnelly CA, Parry JE | title=Assessing effects from four years of industry-led badger culling in England on the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle, 2013–2017 | journal=Scientific Reports | volume=9 | issue=14666 | date=October 2019 | page=14666 | pmid=31604960 | pmc=6789095 | doi=10.1038/s41598-019-49957-6 | bibcode=2019NatSR...914666D }}</ref> although the efficacy of this practice is strongly disputed,<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC News|date=11 October 2019|access-date=21 November 2020|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50005580|title=Badger culls have varying impacts on cattle TB|author=Pallab Ghosh}}</ref> and badger culls are widely considered cruel and inhumane.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Independent|date=28 February 2014|access-date=21 November 2020|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/badger-culls-were-cruel-and-ineffective-says-independent-panel-9160087.html|title=Badger culls were 'cruel' and 'ineffective', says independent panel|author=James Tapsfield}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=Farming UK|date=21 October 2014|access-date=21 November 2020|url=https://www.farminguk.com/news/badger-cull-poll-nine-out-of-ten-want-culling-to-end_31139.html|title=Badger cull poll: Nine out of ten want culling to end}}</ref>

The [[Derivation (linguistics)|source]] of the word "badger" is uncertain. The [[Oxford English Dictionary]] states it probably derives from "badge" + ''-ard'', a reference to the white mark on its forehead that resembles a badge, and may date to the early 16th century.<ref name="OED">{{cite book |author1=Weiner, E. S. C. |author2=Simpson, J. R. |title=The Oxford English Dictionary |publisher=Clarendon Press |location=Oxford |year=1989 |isbn=0-19-861186-2 |access-date=30 August 2008|url=http://dictionary.oed.com}}</ref> The [[French language|French]] word {{lang|fr|bêcheur}} ('digger') has also been suggested as a source.<ref>Neal, Ernest G. and Cheeseman, C. L. (1996) ''Badgers'', p. 2, T. & A.D. Poyser {{ISBN|0-85661-082-8}}</ref> A male badger is a boar, a female is a sow, and a young badger is a cub. A badger's home is called a sett.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/wildlife/badger.pdf |title=Scotland’sScotland's Wildlife: Badgers and Development |access-date=2015-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104416/http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/wildlife/badger.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Badger colonies are often called clans.

The species likely evolved from the Chinese ''Meles thorali'' of the early [[Pleistocene]]. The modern species originated during the early [[Middle Pleistocene]], with fossil sites occurring in [[Episcopia, Italy|Episcopia]], [[Grombasek]], [[Süssenborn]], [[Hundsheim]], [[Erpfingen]], [[KoneprusyKoněprusy]], [[Mosbach]] 2, and [[Stránská Skála]]. A comparison between fossil and living specimens shows a marked progressive adaptation to omnivory, namely in the increase in the [[Molar (tooth)|molar]]s' surface areas and the modification of the [[carnassial]]s. Occasionally, badger bones are discovered in earlier [[strata]], due to the burrowing habits of the species.<ref name="k103">{{Harvnb|Kurtén|1968|pp=103–105}}</ref><ref name="marinis226">{{Harvnb|Spagnesi|De Marina Marinis|2002|pp=226–227}}</ref>

The average weight of adults in the [[Białowieża Forest]] was {{cvt|10.2|kg}} in spring but up to {{cvt|19|kg}} in autumn, 46% higher than the spring low mass.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Kowalczyk, R. |author2=Jȩdrzejewska, B. |author3=Zalewski, A. |year=2003 |title=Annual and circadian activity patterns of badgers (''Meles meles'') in Białowieża Primeval Forest (eastern Poland) compared with other Palaearctic populations |journal=Journal of Biogeography |volume=30 |issue=3 |pages=463–472 |doi=10.1046/j.1365-2699.2003.00804.x |bibcode=2003JBiog..30..463K |s2cid=56433126 |url=http://www.academia.edu/download/43448017/Annual_and_circadian_activity_patterns_o20160306-9581-d6nee5.pdf}}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In [[Woodchester Mansion|Woodchester Park]], [[England]], adults in spring weighed on average {{cvt|7.9|kg}} and in fall average {{cvt|9.5|kg}}.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Delahay, R. J. |author2=Carter, S. P. |author3=Forrester, G. J. |author4=Mitchell, A. |author5=Cheeseman, C. L. |year=2006 |title=Habitat correlates of group size, bodyweight and reproductive performance in a high‐densityhigh-density Eurasian badger (''Meles meles'') population |journal=Journal of Zoology |volume=270 |issue=3 |pages=437–447 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00165.x}}</ref> In [[Doñana National Park]], average weight of adult badgers is reported as {{cvt|6|to|7.95|kg}}, perhaps in accordance with [[Bergmann's rule]], that its size decreases in relatively warmer climates.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Rodriguez, A. |author2=Martin, R. |author3=Delibes, M. |year=1996 |title=Space use and activity in a Mediterranean population of badgers ''Meles meles'' |journal=Acta Theriologica |volume=41 |issue=1 |pages=59–72 |doi=10.4098/AT.arch.96-5 |doi-access=free|hdl=10261/50772 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Revilla, E. |author2=Palomares, F. |author3=Delibes, M. |year=2001 |title=Edge‐coreEdge-core effects and the effectiveness of traditional reserves in conservation: Eurasian badgers in Doñana National Park |journal=Conservation Biology |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=148–158 |doi=10.1111/j.1523-1739.2001.99431.x |bibcode=2001ConBi..15..148R |s2cid=86810777 |url=}}</ref> Sows can attain a top autumn weight of around {{cvt|17.2|kg}}, while exceptionally large boars have been reported in autumn. The heaviest verified was {{cvt|27.2|kg}}, though unverified specimens have been reported to {{cvt|30.8|kg}} and even {{cvt|34|kg}} (if so, the heaviest weight for any terrestrial mustelid). If average weights are used, the European badger ranks as the second largest terrestrial mustelid, behind only the wolverine.<ref name="s1241"/> Although their sense of [[Olfactory perception|smell]] is acute, their [[eyesight]] is [[Monochromacy|monochromatic]] as has been shown by their lack of reaction to red lanterns. Only moving objects attract their attention. Their [[Auditory perception|hearing]] is no better than that of humans.<ref name="s1272">{{Harvnb|Heptner|Sludskii|2001|p=1272}}</ref>

The European badger is native to most of Europe. Its range includes Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Crete, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Kosovo, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.<ref name=iucn />

European badgers are the most social of badgers,<ref name="m117"/> forming groups of six adults on average, though larger associations of up to 23 individuals have been recorded. Group size may be related to habitat composition. Under optimal conditions, badger [[Territory (animal)|territories]] can be as small as {{cvt|30|ha}}, but may be as large as {{cvt|150|ha}} in marginal areas.<ref name="h430"/> Badger territories can be identified by the presence of communal [[latrine]]s and well-worn paths.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Schmid, T. K. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Roper, T. J. |author3=Christian, S. E. |author4=Ostler, J. |author5=Conradt, L. |author6=Butler, J. |year=1993 |title=Territorial marking with faeces in badgers (''Meles meles''): a comparison of boundary and hinterland latrine use |journal=Behaviour |volume=127 |issue=3–4 |pages=289–307 |doi=10.1163/156853993X00074 |s2cid=22043004}}</ref> It is mainly males that are involved in territorial aggression. A hierarchical social system is thought to exist among badgers and large powerful boars seem to assert dominance over smaller males. Large boars sometimes intrude into neighboringneighbouring territories during the main mating season in early spring.

Sparring and more vicious fights generally result from territorial defense in the breeding season.<ref name="Gallagher">{{cite journal |author1=Gallagher, J. |author2=Clifton-Hadley, R. S. |s2cid=12245569 |name-list-style=amp |year=2005 |title=Tuberculosis in badgers; a review of the disease and its significance for other animals |journal= Research in Veterinary Science |volume=69 |issue=3 |pages=203–217 |doi= 10.1053/rvsc.2000.0422|pmid=11124091 }}</ref> However, in general, animals within and outside a group show considerable tolerance of each other. Boars tend to mark their territories more actively than sows, with their territorial activity increasing during the mating season in early spring.<ref name="h430">{{Harvnb|Harris|Yalden|2008|pp=430–431}}</ref> Badgers [[PersonalSocial grooming|groom]] each other]] very thoroughly with their claws and teeth. Grooming may have a social function.<ref name="h432">{{Harvnb|Harris|Yalden|2008|p=432}}</ref> They are [[crepuscular]] and [[nocturnal]] in habits.<ref name="h432"/> Aggression among badgers is largely associated with territorial defence and mating. When fighting, they bite each other on the neck and rump, while running and chasing each other and injuries incurred in such fights can be severe and sometimes fatal. When attacked by dogs or sexually excited, badgers may raise their tails and fluff up their fur.<ref name="h431"/>

[[Estrus]] in European badgers lasts four to six days and may occur throughout the year, though there is a peak in spring. [[Sexual maturity]] in boars is usually attained at the age of twelve to fifteen months but this can range from nine months to two years. Males are normally [[fecund]] during January–May, with [[spermatogenesis]] declining in summer. Sows usually begin [[Ovulation|ovulating]] in their second year, though some exceptionally begin at nine months. They can mate at any time of the year, though the main peak occurs in February–May, when mature sows are in postpartal estrus and young animals experience their first estrus. Matings occurring outside this period typically occur in sows which either failed to mate earlier in the year or matured slowly.<ref name="h433"/> Badgers are usually [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]]; boars typically mate with one female for life, whereas sows have been known to mate with more than one male.<ref name="s1278">{{Harvnb|Heptner|Sludskii|2001|pp=1278–1279}}</ref> Mating lasts for fifteen to sixty minutes, though the pair may briefly copulate for a minute or two when the sow is not in estrus. [[delayed implantation|A delay]] of two to nine months precedes the fertilized eggs implanting into the wall of the [[uterus]], though matings in December can result in immediate implantation. Ordinarily, implantation happens in December, with a [[gestation period]] lasting seven weeks. Cubs are usually born in mid-January to mid-March within underground chambers containing bedding. In areas where the countryside is [[Waterlogging (agriculture)|waterlogged]], cubs may be born above ground in buildings. Typically, only dominant sows can breed, as they suppress the reproduction of subordinate females.<ref name="h433"/>

The average litter consists of one to five cubs.<ref name="h433">{{Harvnb|Harris|Yalden|2008|pp=433–434}}</ref> Although many cubs are sired by resident males, up to 54% can be fathered by boars from different colonies.<ref name="h430"/> Dominant sows may kill the cubs of subordinates.<ref name="h431"/> Cubs are born pink, with greyish, silvery fur and fused eyelids. Neonatal badgers are {{cvt|12|cm}} in body length on average and weigh {{cvt|75|to|132|g}}, with cubs from large litters being smaller.<ref name="h433"/> By three to five days, their claws become pigmented, and individual dark hairs begin to appear.<ref name="s1278"/> Their eyes open at four to five weeks and their [[milk teeth]] erupt about the same time. They emerge from their setts at eight weeks of age, and begin to be [[Weaning|weaned]] at twelve weeks, though they may still suckle until they are four to five months old. Subordinate females assist the mother in guarding, feeding and grooming the cubs.<ref name="h433"/> Cubs fully develop their adult coats at six to nine weeks.<ref name="s1278"/> In areas with medium to high badger populations, dispersal from the natal group is uncommon, though badgers may temporarily visit other colonies.<ref name="h432"/> Badgers can live for up to about fifteen years in the wild.<ref name="k162"/>

European badgers are among the least carnivorous members of the [[Carnivora]];<ref name="s1265">{{Harvnb|Heptner|Sludskii|2001|pp=1265–1268}}</ref> they are highly adaptable and opportunistic [[omnivore]]somnivores, whose diet encompasses a wide range of animals and plants. [[Earthworm]]s are their most important food source, followed by large [[insect]]s, [[carrion]], [[cereals]], [[fruit]] and small [[mammal]]s, including [[rabbit]]s, [[Mouse|mice]], [[rat]]s, [[vole]]s,<ref name=ADW>{{cite web |last1=Wang |first1=Annie |url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Meles_meles/ |title=''Meles meles'' Eurasian Badger |website = ADW |publisher=University of Michigan Museum of Zoology}}</ref> [[shrew]]s, [[Mole (animal)|mole]]s and [[hedgehog]]s. Insect prey includes [[Chafer beetle|chafer]]s, [[Dung beetle|dung]] and [[ground beetle]]s, [[caterpillar]]s, [[Crane fly|leatherjacket]]s, and the nests of [[wasp]]s and [[bumblebee]]s. They are able to destroy wasp nests, consuming the occupants, combs, and envelope, such as that of ''[[Vespula rufa]]'' nests, since their thick skin and body hair protect the badgers from stings.<ref name="Edwards">Edwards, Robin. (1980). Social Wasps: Their Biology and Control. W. Sussex, Great Britain: Rentokil Limited.</ref> Cereal food includes wheat, [[oat]]s, maize and occasionally [[barley]]. Fruits include windfall apples, pears, [[plum]]s, [[blackberries]], [[bilberries]], [[raspberries]], [[cherries]],<ref name=ADW/> [[strawberries]], [[acorn]]s, [[beechmast]], [[pignut]]s and wild [[arum]] [[corm]]s.

European badgers have few natural enemies. While normally docile, badgers can become extremely aggressive and ferocious when cornered, making it dangerous for predators to target them. [[Wolf|Grey wolves]] (''Canis lupus''), [[Eurasian lynx]]es (''Lynx lynx'') and [[brown bear]]s (''Ursus arctos''), Europe's three largest remaining land predators, and large [[Dog|domestic dog]]s (''C. familiaris'') can pose a threat to adult badgers, though deaths caused by them are quantitatively rare as these predators are often limited in population due to human persecution and usually prefer easier, larger prey like [[ungulate]]s, while badgers may fight viciously if aware of a predator and cornered without an escape route.<ref name= Sidorovich>Sidorovich, V. E., Rotenko, I. I., & Krasko, D. A. (2011, March). ''Badger ''Meles meles'' spatial structure and diet in an area of low earthworm biomass and high predation risk''. In Annales Zoologici Fennici (Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 1–16). Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing.</ref><ref>Olsson, O., Wirtberg, J., Andersson, M., & Wirtberg, I. (1997). ''Wolf ''Canis lupus'' predation on moose ''Alces alces'' and roe deer ''Capreolus capreolus'' in south-central Scandinavia''. Wildlife biology, 3(1), 13–25.</ref><ref name= Naves>{{cite journal |author1=Naves, J. |author2=Fernández-Gil, A. |author3=Rodríguez, C. |author4=Delibes, M. |title=Brown Bear Food Habits at the Border of Its Range: A Long-Term Study|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=87|issue=5|page=899|doi=10.1644/05-MAMM-A-318R2.1|year=2006|hdl=10261/50290|doi-access=free|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name= Butler>Butler, J. M., & Roper, T. J. (1995). ''Escape tactics and alarm responses in badgers Meles meles: a field experiment''. Ethology, 99(4), 313-322.</ref> They may live alongside [[red fox]]es (''Vulpes vulpes'') in isolated sections of large burrows.<ref name="s1279"/> The two species possibly tolerate each other out of [[commensalism]]; foxes provide badgers with food scraps, while badgers maintain the shared burrow's cleanliness.<ref>[[Thomas Francis Dale|Dale, Thomas Francis]], [https://archive.org/details/foxdale00dale ''The fox''], Longmans, Green, and Co., 1906</ref> However, cases are known of badgers driving vixens from their dens and destroying their litters without eating them.<ref name="s1279"/> In turn, red foxes are known to have killed badger cubs in spring.<ref>Palomares, F., & Caro, T. M. (1999). ''Interspecific killing among mammalian carnivores''. The American Naturalist, 153(5), 492–508.</ref> [[Golden eagle]]s (''Aquila chrysaetos'') are known predators of European badgers and attacks by them on badger cubs are not infrequent, including cases where they have been pulled out directly from below the legs of their mothers, and even adult badgers may be attacked by this eagle species when emerging weak and hungry from hibernation.<ref name= Watson>Watson, J. (2010). ''The golden eagle''. Poyser Monographs; A&C Black.</ref><ref>Sørensen, O. J., Totsås, M., Solstad, T., & Rigg, R. (2008). ''Predation by a golden eagle on a brown bear cub''. Ursus, 19(2), 190–193.</ref> [[Eurasian eagle owl]]s (''Bubo bubo'') may also take an occasional cub and other large raptors such as [[white-tailed eagle]]s (''Haliaeetus albicilla'') and [[greater spotted eagle]] (''Clanga clanga'') are considered potential badger cub predators.<ref name= Sidorovich/><ref name= Butler/><ref>Korpimäki, E., & Norrdahl, K. (1989). ''Avian predation on mustelids in Europe 1: occurrence and effects on body size variation and life traits''. Oikos, 205–215.</ref> [[Raccoon dog]]s may extensively use badger setts for shelter. There are many known cases of badgers and raccoon dogs wintering in the same hole, possibly because badgers enter hibernation two weeks earlier than the latter, and leave two weeks later. In exceptional cases, badger and raccoon dog cubs may coexist in the same burrow. Badgers may drive out or kill raccoon dogs if they overstay their welcome.<ref>Heptner, V. G. ; Naumov, N. P., ''[https://archive.org/details/mammalsofsov211998gept Mammals of the Soviet Union Vol.II Part 1a, SIRENIA AND CARNIVORA (Sea cows; Wolves and Bears)]'', p. 107, Science Publishers, Inc. USA. 1998, {{ISBN|1-886106-81-9}}</ref>

Bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) caused by ''[[Mycobacterium bovis]]'' is a major mortality factor in badgers, though infected badgers can live and successfully breed for years before succumbing. The disease was first observed in badgers in 1951 in Switzerland where they were believed to have contracted it from [[chamois]] (''Rupicapra rupicapra'') or [[roe deer]] (''Capreolus capreolus'').<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Bouvier, G. |author2=Burgisser, H |author3=Sweitzer, R. |year=1951 |title=Tuberculose chez un chamois |journal=Schweizer Arch Tierheil |volume=93 |pages=689–695 }}</ref> It was detected in the United Kingdom in 1971 where it was linked to an outbreak of bovine TB in cows. The evidence appears to indicate that the badger is the primary reservoir of infection for cattle in the southwest of England, Wales and Ireland. Since then there has been considerable controversy as to whether culling badgers will effectively reduce or eliminate bovine TB in cattle.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Gallagher, J. |author2=Clifton-Hadley, R. S. |year=2000 |title=Tuberculosis in badgers; a review of the disease and its significance for other animals |journal=Research in Veterinary Science |volume=69 |issue=3 |pages=203–217 |pmid=11124091 |url=http://www.bovinetb.info/docs/johngallt_b_review9-04.pdf |doi=10.1053/rvsc.2000.0422}}</ref>

Internal parasites of badgers include [[trematode]]s, [[nematode]]s and several species of [[tapeworm]].<ref name="h435"/> [[Ectoparasite]]s carried by them include the [[flea]]s ''[[Paraceras melis]]'' (the badger flea), ''[[Chaetopsylla trichosa]]'' and ''[[Pulex irritans]]'' (the human flea), the [[lice]] ''[[Trichodectes melis]]'' and the [[tick]]s ''[[Ixodes ricinus]]'', ''[[Ixodes canisuga|I. canisuga]]'', ''[[Ixodes hexagonus|I. hexagonus]]'', ''[[Ixodes reduvius|I. reduvius]]'' and ''[[Ixodes melicula|I. melicula]]''. They also suffer from mange.<ref name="h435"/> They spend much time grooming, individuals concentrating on their own ventral areas, alternating one side with the other, while social grooming occurs with one individual grooming another on its dorsal surface. Fleas tried to avoid the scratching, retreating rapidly downwards and backwards through the fur. This was in contrast to fleas away from their host, which ran upwards and jumped when disturbed. The grooming seems to disadvantage fleas rather than merely having a social function.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Stewart, Paul D. |author2=Macdonald, David W. |year=2003 |title=Badgers and Badger Fleas: Strategies and Counter-Strategies |journal=Ethology |volume=109 |issue=9 |pages=751–763 |doi=10.1046/j.1439-0310.2003.00910.x |bibcode=2003Ethol.109..751S }}</ref>

Badgers play a part in European folklore and are featured in modern literature. In [[Irish mythology]], badgers are portrayed as [[therianthropyShapeshifting|shape-shifter]]s and kinsmen to Tadg, the king of [[Hill of Tara|Tara]] and foster father of [[Cormac mac Airt]]. In one story, Tadg berates his adopted son for having killed and prepared some badgers for dinner.<ref>Monaghan, Patricia, ''The encyclopedia of Celtic mythology and folklore'', p.436, Infobase Publishing, 2004, {{ISBN|0-8160-4524-0}}</ref> In [[German folklore]], the badger is portrayed as a cautious, peace-loving [[Philistinism|Philistine]], who loves more than anything his home, family and comfort, though he can become aggressive if surprised. He is a cousin of [[Reynard the Fox]], whom he uselessly tries to convince to return to the path of righteousness.<ref name="n150"/>

In [[T. H. White]]'s Arthurian series ''[[The Once and Future King]]'', the young [[King Arthur]] is transformed into a badger by [[Merlin]] as part of his education. He meets with an older badger who tells him "I can only teach you two things – to dig, and love your home."<ref>White, T.H. (1939) 'The Once And Future King.' 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016.</ref>

A villainous badger named Tommy Brock appears in [[Beatrix Potter]]'s 1912 book ''[[The Tale of Mr. Tod]]''. He is shown kidnapping the children of Benjamin Bunny and his wife Flopsy, and hiding them in an oven at the home of Mr. Tod the fox, whom he fights at the end of the book. The portrayal of the badger as a filthy animal which appropriates fox dens was criticized from a naturalistic viewpoint, though the inconsistencies are few and employed to create individual characters rather than evoke an archetypical fox and badger.<ref>MacDonald, Ruth K., ''Beatrix Potter'', p.47, Twayne Publishers, 1986, {{ISBN|0-8057-6917-X}}</ref> A wise old badger named [[Trufflehunter]] appears in [[C. S. Lewis]]' ''[[Prince Caspian]]'', where he aids [[Caspian X]] in his struggle against [[King Miraz]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Prince Caspian | first= Lewis |last= C.S. |year=1951 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0006716792 }}</ref>

A badger takes a prominent role in [[Colin Dann]]'s ''[[The Animals of Farthing Wood (book series)|The Animals of Farthing Wood]]'' series as second in command to Fox.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Animals of Farthing Wood |last=Dann |first=Colin |year=1979 |publisher=Egmont Publishing |isbn=1-4052-2552-1 }}</ref> The badger is also the house symbol for Hufflepuff in the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' book series.<ref>{{cite book |title=Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |year=1997 |publisher=Bloomsbury |isbn=0-7475-3269-9 }}</ref> The ''[[Redwall]]'' series also has the Badger Lords, who rule the extinct volcano fortress of Salamandastron and are renowned as fierce warriors.<ref>{{cite book |title=Tribes of Redwall: Badgers |last=Jacques |first=Brian |year=2001 |publisher=Red Fox |isbn=0-09-941714-6 }}</ref> The children's television series ''[[Bodger & Badger]]'' was popular on [[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]] during the 1990s and was set around the mishaps of a [[mashed potato]]-loving badger and his human companion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/bodgerandbadger/ |title=Comedy: Bodger and Badger |publisher=BBC |access-date=2013-06-20}}</ref>

Many badgers in [[Europe]] were gassed during the 1960s and 1970s to control [[rabies]].<ref>[http://www.badger.org.uk/_Attachments/Resources/283_S4.pdf The European badger (''Meles meles'')] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901125204/http://www.badger.org.uk/_Attachments/Resources/283_S4.pdf |date=2012-09-01 }}. badger.org.uk</ref> Until the 1980s, [[badger culling in the United Kingdom]] was undertaken in the form of gassing, to control the spread of [[Tuberculosis#Other animals|bovine tuberculosis]] (bTB). Limited culling resumed in 1998 as part of a 10-year randomized trial cull which was considered by [[John Krebs]] and others to show that culling was ineffective. Some groups called for a selective cull,<ref name=Moody>{{cite news |title=Badger cull is necessary to stop them suffering, say vets |author=Moody, Oliver |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/environment/wildlife/article3750331.ece |newspaper=The Times: Wildlife |date=2013-04-27 |access-date=2013-08-30}}</ref> while others favoured a programme of vaccination, and vets support the cull on compassionate grounds as they say that the illness causes much suffering in badgers.<ref name=Moody/> In 2012, the government authorized a limited cull<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/dec/14/badger-culling-2012|title=Badger culling will go ahead in 2012|author=Carrington, D.|work=The Guardian |date=2011-12-11|access-date= 2013-08-30}}</ref> led by the [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]] (Defra), however, this was later deferred with a wide range of reasons given.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/23/badger-cull-postponed-2013|title=Badger cull postponed until 2013|author=Carrington, D.|work=The Guardian|year=2012|access-date=August 30, 2013}}</ref> In August 2013, a full culling programme began where about 5,000 badgers were killed over six weeks in West [[Somerset]] and [[Gloucestershire]] by marksmen with high-velocity rifles using a mixture of controlled shooting and free shooting (some badgers were trapped in cages first). The cull caused many protests with emotional, economic and scientific reasons being cited. The badger is considered an iconic species of the British countryside, though is not endangered. It was claimed by shadow ministers that "The government's own figures show it will cost more than it saves...", and Lord Krebs, who led the Randomised Badger Culling Trial in the 1990s, said the two pilots "will not yield any useful information".<ref name="BBC2013">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23845851|title=Badger cull begins in Somerset in attempt to tackle TB|publisher=BBC|year=2013|access-date=August 30, 2013}}</ref> A scientific study of culling from 2013 to 2017 has shown a reduction of 36–55% incidence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle.<ref name="Downs"/>

There are several accounts of European badgers being tamed. Tame badgers can be affectionate pets, and can be trained to come to their owners when their names are called. They are easily fed, as they are not fussy eaters, and will instinctively unearth rats, moles and young rabbits without training, though they do have a weakness for pork. Although there is one record of a tame badger befriending a fox, they generally do not tolerate the presence of cats and dogs, and will chase them.<ref name="p58">{{Harvnb|Pease|1898|pp=58–61}}</ref>{{Dubious|Pet section|date=December 2023}}

*{{cite EB9 |mode=cs2 |wstitle=Badger |volume=3 |ref={{harvid|EB|1878}} |pages=227}}

*{{Cite book |last=Macdonald |first=D. |author-link=David Macdonald (biologist)|title=The New Encyclopedia of Mammals |year=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-850823-9 }}