Editing European badger (section)

{{short description|Species of mustelid}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = European badger
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|0.7|0}}[[Middle Pleistocene]] – Recent
| image = Mäyrä Ähtäri 4.jpg
| image_caption = In [[Ähtäri Zoo]], [[Finland]]
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |title=''Meles meles'' |name-list-style=amp |author=Kranz, A. |author2=Abramov, A.V. |author3=Herrero, J. |author4=Maran, T. |date=2016 |page=e.T29673A45203002 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T29673A45203002.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Meles
| species = meles
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
| range_map = European Badger area.png
| range_map_caption = European badger range (also includes [[Caucasian badger]] range)
| synonyms = ''Ursus meles'' {{small|Linnaeus, 1758}}
}}

The '''European badger''' ('''''Meles meles'''''), also known as the '''Eurasian badger''', is a [[badger]] species in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Mustelidae]] native to [[Europe]] and [[West Asia]] and parts of [[Central Asia]]. It is classified as [[least concern]] on the [[IUCN Red List]], as it has a wide range and a large, stable population size which is thought to be increasing in some regions. Several subspecies are recognized, with the [[nominate subspecies]] (''M. m. meles'') predominating in most of Europe.<ref name=iucn /> In Europe, where no other badger species commonly occurs, it is generally just called the "'''badger'''".

The European badger is a powerfully built, black, white, brown, and grey animal with a small head, a stocky body, small black eyes, and a short tail. Its weight varies, being {{cvt|7|–|13|kg}} in spring, but building up to {{cvt|15|–|17|kg}} in autumn before the [[winter sleep]] period. It is [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] and is a [[Sociality|social]], burrowing animal that sleeps during the day in one of several [[sett]]s in its territorial range. These burrows have multiple chambers and entrances, and are extensive systems of underground passages of {{convert|35|-|81|m|abbr=on}} length. They house several badger families that use these setts for decades. Badgers are fussy over the cleanliness of their burrow, carrying in fresh bedding and removing soiled material, and they defecate in [[Latrine (animal)|latrine]]s strategically situated outside their setts or en route to other setts.<ref name ="Kilshaw">{{cite journal | vauthors=Kilshaw K, Newman C, Buesching CD, Bunyan J, Macdonald DW | title=Coordinated latrine use by European badgers, Meles meles: Potential consequences for territory defense | journal=Journal of Mammalogy | volume=90 | issue=5 | date=2009 | pages=1188–1198 | doi=10.1644/08-MAMM-A-200.1 | jstor=27755113 | s2cid=86435009 | doi-access=free }}</ref>

Although [[taxonomically]] classified as a [[carnivora]]n, the European badger is an [[omnivore]], feeding on a wide variety of plant and animal foods, including [[earthworm]]s, large [[insect]]s, small [[mammal]]s, [[carrion]], [[cereals]], and [[tuber]]s. Litters of up to five cubs are produced in spring. The young are weaned a few months later, but usually remain within the family group. The European badger has been known to share its burrow with other species, such as [[rabbit]]s, [[red fox]]es, and [[raccoon dog]]s, but it can be ferocious when provoked, a trait which has been exploited in the now-illegal [[blood sport]] of [[badger-baiting]]. Like many wild and domesticated species of mammals, badgers can be carriers of [[bovine tuberculosis]], which can spread between species and can be particularly detrimental to cattle. In England, badger populations are culled to try to reduce the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle,<ref name="Downs">{{cite journal | vauthors=Downs SH, Prosser A, Ashton A, Ashfield S, Brunton LA, Brouwer A, Upton P, Robertson A, Donnelly CA, Parry JE | title=Assessing effects from four years of industry-led badger culling in England on the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle, 2013–2017 | journal=Scientific Reports | volume=9 | issue=14666 | date=October 2019 | page=14666 | pmid=31604960 | pmc=6789095 | doi=10.1038/s41598-019-49957-6 | bibcode=2019NatSR...914666D }}</ref> although the efficacy of this practice is strongly disputed,<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC News|date=11 October 2019|access-date=21 November 2020|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50005580|title=Badger culls have varying impacts on cattle TB|author=Pallab Ghosh}}</ref> and badger culls are widely considered cruel and inhumane.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Independent|date=28 February 2014|access-date=21 November 2020|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/badger-culls-were-cruel-and-ineffective-says-independent-panel-9160087.html|title=Badger culls were 'cruel' and 'ineffective', says independent panel|author=James Tapsfield}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=Farming UK|date=21 October 2014|access-date=21 November 2020|url=https://www.farminguk.com/news/badger-cull-poll-nine-out-of-ten-want-culling-to-end_31139.html|title=Badger cull poll: Nine out of ten want culling to end}}</ref>