A badger is a member of the mustelid family, but “badger” can refer to different species. The facts below are specifically about the Eurasian badger (Meles meles), a widespread Palearctic mammal. Its varied habitats and omnivorous diet make it more adaptable than the familiar image of a woodland animal that eats only earthworms suggests.
What is a badger?
The Eurasian badger (Meles meles) is a mammal in the mustelid family, which also includes weasels, otters, and wolverines. Animal Diversity Web describes it as widespread across the Palearctic, a region spanning parts of Europe and Asia. “Badger” by itself is not a precise species name, so these natural-history details should not be assumed to apply to every animal called a badger.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Animal Diversity Web reports the Eurasian badger as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and describes it as widespread and abundant in the Palearctic. That is the status cited by this source, not a current population estimate. Animal Diversity Web: Eurasian badger
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Where do Eurasian badgers live?
Eurasian badgers occupy a range of landscapes, including woodland, hedges, scrub, river margins, farmland, grassland, steppe, and semi-desert. They use underground tunnel-and-chamber systems called setts. Cover and diggable, well-drained ground are favorable conditions for sett locations, according to Animal Diversity Web.
What do badgers eat?
Eurasian badgers are omnivores. Earthworms are an important food source, but their diet also includes small mammals, insects, carrion, fruits, cereals, tubers, and fungi. Which foods they eat depends on season and availability; earthworms are not their only food.
Are badgers protected?
Protection depends on the country and applicable local law. In England, government guidance says badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. The guidance lists intentional capture, killing, or injury among prohibited acts. It also addresses planning decisions: work or development that could affect a sett may require specialist ecological advice, and a qualified ecologist may be needed for a planning application.
Anyone planning work near a suspected sett should check the current rules and official guidance before acting. The English legal summary does not establish the law elsewhere. See the UK government’s planning advice and protection, surveys, and licences guidance.
Recommended Free Tools
Does “Badger” refer to an animal or something else?
The word can also name a book, fictional character, or other creative work. This article covers the Eurasian badger; if you meant a particular book, show, or game, the relevant facts will be different.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A Eurasian Badger with sunflowers! A cute English Badger gift, Badger mom gift, Badger dad gift, Badger lover gift, girl who loves Badgers to get at a Badger birthday party a Badger Christmas gift!
- This Badger art available as a Badger shirt women, Badger mom shirt, Badger tshirt, Badger t shirt, Badger tee, Badger hoodie, Badger décor, clothes, apparel, tote bag, Badger accessories, Badger phone case, pillows & stuff!
- 16” x 16” bag with two 14” long and 1” wide black cotton webbing strap handles.
- Made of a lightweight, spun polyester canvas-like fabric.
- All seams and stress points are double-stitched for durability, and the reinforced bottom flattens to fit more items and hold larger objects.
Rank #3
- Honey Badger design inspired by fearless spirit and bold wilderness energy african savanna wildlife theme tough mustelid nature symbolism art
- Honey Badger design artistic rugged creature vision full of attitudebushveld landscape theme resilient mammal energy nature art
- Hardcover journal with 240 line-ruled pages (120 sheets)
- Built-in elastic closure and ribbon bookmark
- Includes an expandable inner storage pocket and a pen holder
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
