What protection level does the Eurasian badger have? Understanding its protection status in one article
The Eurasian badger, also known as the badger mushroom, hemp badger, mountain badger, etc., is a mammal of the genus Meles in the family Mustelidae. It is relatively large among mustelids, generally active in spring and autumn, has a fierce temperament, lives in burrows, is omnivorous, and inhabits a relatively wide range of environments such as forests, shrublands, fields, and lakes. It is distributed across most of the Eurasian continent. Let's take a look below at what protection level the Eurasian badger has!
What protection level does the Eurasian badger have?
The Eurasian badger is a national second-class protected animal and has been included in the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Eurasian badger population distribution is not scattered and is very common in Russia, with 30,000 individuals recorded in 1999. A 2006 survey showed that the population density of Eurasian badgers in Europe has increased compared with previous decades. In Finland, it is distributed near the northern boundary with a low density of about 2-2.5 individuals/10 sq km, and the overall number tends to be stable.
What food does the Eurasian badger eat?
The Eurasian badger is omnivorous, feeding on plant roots, stems, fruits, and frogs, earthworms, small fish, sand lizards, insects (larvae and pupae), and small mammals. In grassland areas, it likes to eat food left by wolves. During crop sowing and maturity periods, it damages newly sown seeds and soon-to-mature corn, peanuts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, and melons. It inhabits various environments such as forests or hillside shrublands, fields, graveyards, dune grasslands, and areas beside lakes and rivers.
Reproductive habits of the Eurasian badger
The Eurasian badger breeds once a year. From September to October, males and females chase each other and mate. The following year, from April to May, they give birth, with 2-5 cubs per litter. The cubs open their eyes after one month. In June and July, the young follow the mother to move about and forage. In autumn, the young badgers leave the mother and live independently. They reach sexual maturity after three years. The female has 3 pairs of teats, with the front pair close to the chest. Each pair of teats is 75 mm apart and filled with milk. Except for the white head, the young are covered with grayish-white fur all over the body, while the back and limbs are slightly black. They often make "ji, ji" calls.