EUROPEAN BADGERS (Meles meles) - ©John Connor/Press Associates
The European Badger is a species of badger of the genus Meles, native to almost all of Europe. It is classed as Least Concern for extinction by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and large population.
The European badger is a social burrowing animal which lives on a wide variety of plant and animal food. It is very fussy over the cleanliness of its burrow, and defecates in latrines. Cases are known of European badgers burying their dead family members. Although ferocious when provoked, a trait which was once exploited for the blood sport of badger-baiting, the European badger is generally a peaceful animal, having 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 stock, the species is nonetheless credited with damaging livestock through spreading bovine tuberculosis.
The seven babies pictured were raised by hand in 2009 after being abandoned (in two different litters). Many badgers are hit by cars since loss of habitat requires they travel farther from their burrows, and ideal burrows locations are harder to come by.
Fact Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_badger
Other photos you may enjoy:
