Eurasian badgers have a stocky body with short robust limbs and a short tail. Female mass ranges from 6.6 to 13.9 kg, and male mass ranges from 9.1 to 16.7 kg. Males and females do not differ in head-body length, which ranges from 56 cm to 90 cm. Tail length ranges from 11.5 cm to 20.2 cm. Eurasian badgers are known for their distinguishing dark stripes that run from their nose, through the eyes and to each ear. These two dark stripes are separated by a white medial stripe. Dorsal pelage is grizzled gray, and each individual hair is white at the base and darker at the tip. Venter pelage tends to be dark gray or black. Their skulls (dorsal view, ventral view, lateral view) are massive and heavy with a prominent sagittal crest and short, triangular paroccipital processes. Eurasian badgers have flattened molars, small incisors, and prominent canines. The teeth of Eurasian badgers are well suited for an omnivorous diet.
Eurasian Badger
(Meles meles)
Order:
Carnivora
Family:
Mustelidae
Élőhelye:
Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) are widespread throughout the Palearctic region. They are present from as far west as Ireland and Spain to the eastern edges of Russia, China, and Japan. The northern boundary of the Eurasian badger range extends to the Russian Arctic Circle and Finland, and the southern boundary occurs along the southeastern coast of China.
Eurasian badgers are highly adaptable and live in a wide variety of environments. Ideal habitat includes deciduous, conifer, or mixed woodlands adjacent to open fields. In addition, they may occupy hedges, scrub, and riverine habitats as well as agricultural land, grassland, steppes, and semi-deserts.
Weight:
6.6-16.7 kilograms
Length:
56-90 centimeters
Nutrition:
Eurasian badgers prey on rabbits, voles, shrews, moles, mice, rats and hedgehogs. They also eat a wide variety of large insects, including beetles, leatherjackets, caterpillars, and wasps. They target wasps, in particular, by eating their nests. Wasps are consumed by badgers seasonally and in larger volumes. Eurasian badgers also eat carrion and occasionally eat birds, frogs, fish, newts, lizards, slugs, and snails. Eurasian badgers also feed on more than 30 different kinds of fruit, including pears, plums, raspberries, cherries, strawberries, acorns, beechmast, and blackberries.
Reproduction:
Eurasian badgers are usually polygynous. For those living in social groups, only the dominant male and female mate. Eurasian badgers breed year-round; however, most breeding occurs during late winter/early spring (February through May) and during late summer/early autumn (August through October). Gestation last 9 to 12 months, and litters range from 1 to 6 cubs, with an average of 3. Average birth-weight for Eurasian badgers is 75 grams. Cubs emerge from their dens around 8 to 10 weeks after birth. On average, cubs are weaned by 2.5 months. Female Eurasian badgers nurse cubs as well as provide solid food after weaning. Male and female Eurasian badgers reach sexual maturity by about one year after birth.
Lifespan:
16 year
Description: