European badger

The European badger (Meles meles) is a species of badger. Its genus is Meles. It is native to almost all of Europe. It is classed as Least Concern for extinction by the IUCN because of its wide distribution and large population.

The European badger is a social, burrowing animal. It eats a wide variety of plants and animals. It is very fussy over the cleanliness of its burrow, and defecates in latrines. It is known of European badgers that they bury their dead family members. Although they are ferocious when provoked, the European badger is generally a peaceful animal. It has been known to share its burrows with other species such as rabbits, red foxes and raccoon dogs. Although it does not usually prey on domestic animals, the species is sometimes reported to damage livestock through spreading bovine tuberculosis.

Reference

Other websites
 ARKive  Photographs and video
 Badgerland - The Definitive On-Line Guide to Badgers (Meles meles) in the UK
 Badgerwatcher.com - A guide to watching badgers in the UK
 Wildlifeonline - Natural History of the European Badger
 Lancashire Badger Group.
 Science & Nature: Animals , BBC.
 Badgers in the Netherlands, Badgergroup Brabant Foundation.
 Badger Survey in the Netherlands 2000-2001 , The Census Foundation.
 Waarneming.nl  Originally a Dutch site, but you can change language at the top of the page. Sightings, pictures and distribution maps of European badgers in the Netherlands.
 Badgers in France, L’assiociation Meles.
 A video of an adult european badger. This is a close up video showing their behaviour

Category:Mustelids
Category:Mammals of Europe