European badger - Meles meles

The European badger (Meles meles) is a mammal that belongs to the family Mustelidae, which also includes otters, weasels and wolverines. The European badger is native to most of Europe and parts of Asia. It is a nocturnal and social animal that lives in underground burrows called setts. The European badger has a distinctive black and white striped face, a grey body, a short tail and powerful claws for digging.

The European badger is omnivorous, meaning it eats both plants and animals. Its diet consists mainly of earthworms, insects, small mammals, fruits and roots. The European badger can store fat in its body and hibernate during the winter months. The European badger is usually solitary or lives in small groups of up to six individuals. However, in some areas, such as the United Kingdom, the European badger can form larger social groups of up to 30 individuals. These groups are called clans and have a complex social structure and hierarchy.

The European badger is a protected species in most of its range and is threatened by habitat loss, road accidents, persecution and disease.

See also