Mammal · GBIF taxon 2433875
European Badger
Meles melesAlso known as Eurasian Badger, Brock
European badgers are social, nocturnal mustelids famous for constructing extensive underground burrow networks known as setts. They emerge at dusk to forage across meadows and woodlands, using an acute sense of smell to locate earthworms and roots. Clans mark communal territory with latrines and groom each other daily to reinforce strong family bonds.
NocturnalBurrowingSocial Mammal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Earthworms
- Insects
- Small Rodents
Predators
- Gray Wolf
- Eurasian Lynx
- Brown Bear
ThreatsRoad collisions, targeted culling, illegal baiting, habitat fragmentation
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed woodlands, pastures, hedgerows, scrubland
Life span5–8 years in the wild (up to 15 years in captivity)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMustelidae
- SpeciesMeles meles
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Powerful jaws and long claws can cause severe injury if cornered; observe from a respectful distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Powerful jaw muscles and long digging claws can inflict severe puncture wounds if the badger feels trapped.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a stocky grey body with short legs and prominent black and white stripes along the face.
- What to do
- Maintain a safe distance, keep dogs on leashes near known setts, and never try to pick up an injured badger.
Responsible observation
- Night Watching: Position yourself downwind near an active sett before sunset and remain completely still.
- Track Identification: Search soft mud along woodland paths for broad five-toed paw prints with distinct claw marks.
- Lighting Etiquette: Avoid shining bright white flashlights directly on badgers; use filtered red lights instead.
Competitor "Red Fox" by Mike's Birds is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Close Relative 
Family Member Bernard Landgraf / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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