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The European badger is a powerfully built, black, white, brown, and grey animal with a small head, a stocky body, small black eyes, and a short tail. Its weight varies, being 7–13 kg (15–29 lb) in spring, but building up to 15–17 kg (33–37 lb) in autumn before the [[winter sleep]] period. It is [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] and is a [[Sociality|social]], burrowing animal that sleeps during the day in one of several [[sett]]s in its territorial range. These burrows have multiple chambers and entrances, and are extensive systems of underground passages of {{convert|35|-|81|m|abbr=on}} length. They house several badger families that use these setts for decades. Badgers are fussy over the cleanliness of their burrow, carrying in fresh bedding and removing soiled material, and they defecate in [[Latrine (animal)|latrine]]s strategically situated outside their setts or en route to other setts.<ref name ="Kilshaw">{{cite journal | vauthors=Kilshaw K, Newman C, Buesching CD, Bunyan J, Macdonald DW | title=Coordinated latrine use by European badgers, Meles meles: Potential consequences for territory defense | journal=Journal of Mammalogy | volume=90 | issue=5 | date=2009 | pages=1188–1198 | doi=10.1644/08-MAMM-A-200.1 | jstor=27755113 | s2cid=86435009 | doi-access=free }}</ref>
Although classified as a [[carnivore]], the European badger is 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]].
==Nomenclature==
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Adults measure {{cvt|25|–|30|cm}} in shoulder height,<ref name="p24">{{Harvnb|Pease|1898|p=24}}</ref> {{cvt|60|–|90|cm}} in body length, {{cvt|12|–|24|cm}} in tail length, {{cvt|7.5|–|13|cm}} in hind foot length and {{cvt|3.5|–|7|cm}} in ear height. Males (or boars) slightly exceed females (or sows) in measurements, but can weigh considerably more. Their weights vary seasonally, growing from spring to autumn and reaching a peak just before the winter. During the summer, European badgers commonly weigh {{cvt|7|–|13|kg}} and {{cvt|15|–|17|kg}} in autumn.<ref name="s1241">{{Harvnb|Heptner|Sludskii|2001|pp=1241–1242}}</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
[[File:Meles meles (Eurasian badger) fur skin.jpg|thumb|Badger skin – the contrasting markings of the fur serve to warn off attackers rather than camouflage, as they are conspicuous at night.<ref name="n25">{{Harvnb|Neal|1976|p=25}}</ref>]]
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==Distribution and habitat==
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
The distributional boundary between the ranges of European and [[Asian badger]]s is the [[Volga River]], the European species being situated on the western bank.<ref name=":0" /> The boundary between the ranges of the European and [[Caucasian badger]]s is in the [[North Caucasus]], but a clear boundary has not been defined, and they are [[Sympatry|sympatric]] in some regions, potentially forming a [[hybrid zone]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Abramov |first1=A. V. |last2=Puzachenko |first2=A. Yu. |date=2013 |title=The taxonomic status of badgers (Mammalia, Mustelidae) from Southwest Asia based on cranial morphometrics, with the redescription of ''Meles canescens'' |url=https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3681.1.2 |journal=Zootaxa|volume=3681 |issue=1|pages=44–58 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.3681.1.2 |pmid=25232583}}</ref> They are common in [[European Russia]], with 30,000 individuals having been recorded there in 1990. They are abundant and increasing throughout their range, partly due to a reduction in [[rabies]] in Central Europe. In the UK, badgers experienced a 77% increase in numbers during the 1980s and 1990s.<ref name=iucn /> The badger population in Great Britain in 2012 is estimated to be 300,000.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk/planyourvisit/animals/badger.html |title=Badger: ''Meles meles'' |year=2012 |publisher=British Wildlife Centre |access-date=2013-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042857/http://www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk/planyourvisit/animals/badger.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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[[File:Badger Scratching tree, Spier's, Beith.JPG|thumb|Scratching-tree of badgers]]
[[File:Dachse.webm|thumb|Two European badgers grooming each other]]
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
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 [[Social 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"/>
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Badgers are vulnerable to the mustelid [[herpesvirus]]-1, as well as [[rabies]] and [[canine distemper]], though the latter two are absent in Great Britain. Other diseases found in European badgers include [[arteriosclerosis]], [[pneumonia]], [[pleurisy]], [[nephritis]], [[enteritis]], [[polyarthritis]] and [[lymphosarcoma]].<ref name="h435">{{Harvnb|Harris|Yalden|2008|p=435}}</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>
==Conservation==
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[[File:Tale of mr tod tommy brock.jpg|thumb|upright|Tommy Brock, as illustrated by [[Beatrix Potter]] in ''[[The Tale of Mr. Tod]]'']]
{{main|List of fictional badgers}}
Badgers play a part in European folklore and are featured in modern literature. In [[Irish mythology]], badgers are portrayed as [[
In [[Kenneth Grahame]]'s ''[[The Wind in the Willows]]'', Mr. Badger is depicted as a gruff, solitary figure who "simply hates society", yet is a good friend to Mole and Ratty. As a friend of Toad's now-deceased father, he is often firm and serious with Toad, but at the same time generally patient and well-meaning towards him. He can be seen as a wise hermit, a good leader and gentleman, embodying common sense. He is also brave and a skilled fighter, and helps rid Toad Hall of invaders from the wild wood.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Wind in the Willows |last=Grahame |first=Kenneth |year=1908 |publisher=Wordsworth Editions Ltd. |isbn=978-1853260179 }}</ref>
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===Claims of continued badger-hunting in the UK===
* Allegations of lamping (among other practices) were made in the appendix to the [https://web.archive.org/web/20050908134921/http://www.badger.org.uk/tb/980224kr.htm NFBG (now Badger Trust) response to the Krebs Report]
{{Carnivora|M.}}
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{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Mammals described in 1758]]
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