The European badger is a stocky, burrowing mammal found across much of Europe and parts of western Asia, recognized by its distinctive black and white striped face and its powerful, muscular build adapted for digging extensive underground burrow systems called setts, which can be used by generations of badgers over many decades. It is mainly nocturnal and omnivorous, feeding heavily on earthworms where available but also eating insects, small mammals, fruit and roots, and it lives in social groups centered on a shared sett, with a level of group living unusual among members of the weasel family. European badgers remain widespread across their range, and while historically subject to persecution and, in some countries, culling linked to disease concerns in livestock, the species overall is classified as being of least concern.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or ExtinctDerived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status. Scientific Name Conservation Status Population EstimateRegional count for Great Britain only (2012), not the species total population across its Europe and West/Central Asia range. Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceEuropean badgers are powerfully built animals with small heads, thick, short necks, stocky, wedge-shaped bodies and short tails. 1 Comparison
CITES Appendix FAQs
How long can a badger sett be used?
A badger sett can be used by generations of badgers for decades.
A badger sett is an extensive underground burrow system, and several badger families use the same sett for decades, with generations of badgers occupying and expanding it over time.
Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Meles meles (Animal Diversity Web)
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Meles meles (Animal Diversity Web)
In Ecosystem
Source Wikidata: European Rabbit
Additional Source Doñana National Park (Wikipedia)Article text
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. European Badger (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section, opening sentence naming the binomial
The European badger (Meles meles), also known as the Eurasian badger, is a species of badger in the family Mustelidae native to Europe and West Asia and parts of Central Asia.
Lead section, second sentence naming the IUCN status
It is classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide range and large, stable population size which is thought to be increasing in some regions.
Population trend paragraph, UK figure
The badger population in Great Britain in 2012 was estimated to be 300,000.
Description section, opening sentence
European badgers are powerfully built animals with small heads, thick, short necks, stocky, wedge-shaped bodies and short tails.
View the Source 2. GBIF Species API
3. European Badger (Wikipedia)
badgers can carry bovine tuberculosis; badger populations are culled in England to reduce incidence in cattleView the Source 4. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Meles meles (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
In Biome: Grassland, Terrestrial Biomes
Habitat Regions temperate temperate terrestrial terrestrial Terrestrial Biomes savanna or grassland savanna or grassland forest forest scrub forest scrub forest
In Biome: Temperate Forest, Terrestrial Biomes
Habitat Regions temperate temperate terrestrial terrestrial Terrestrial Biomes savanna or grassland savanna or grassland forest forest scrub forest scrub forest
View the Source Wikidata: European Badger
Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: MustelidaeView the Source Doñana National Park (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIn Ecosystem: Doñana, Article textQuote, In Ecosystem: Doñana, Article text
38 mammal species have been recorded, including twelve species of bat, red deer, European rabbit, European hedgehog, common genet, wildcat, wild boar, Iberian lynx, garden dormouse, Egyptian mongoose, greater white-toothed shrew, Eurasian otter, wood mouse, European polecat, red fox, European badger, Mediterranean pine vole, southwestern water vole and black rat.
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