European Badger
Meles meles
Also known as: Eurasian Badger, Badger
Habitat
Ground
Diet
Invertebrate
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
13.0 kg
About This Species
Found in broadleaf and mixed woodland with adjacent pasture or hedgerow, this stocky mustelid spends much of its time rooting through leaf litter and soil for earthworms, beetle larvae, and fallen fruit, often following well-worn paths between the sett and foraging areas. Look for freshly disturbed earth, latrines marking territory boundaries, and the distinctive shuffling sound of digging; the bold black-and-white facial striping is unmistakable even in low light. Though largely crepuscular to nocturnal in practice, dusk vigils at a known sett entrance during late spring and summer — when long daylight hours push activity earlier and cubs are newly emerged — offer the most reliable and extended views.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Maintain a minimum distance of 10–15 metres when observing at sett entrances, approach slowly and downwind, and remain still and quiet to avoid triggering flight or defensive responses.
- Across its range, it receives strong legal protection — notably under the UK's Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which prohibits interference with setts, and under equivalent legislation in Ireland and many EU member states implementing the Habitats Directive — so never dig, block, or disturb sett entrances or attempt to handle individuals.
- Use a red-filtered torch if artificial light is necessary, limit session duration, and withdraw immediately if behaviour suggests awareness of your presence, particularly during the breeding season and when cubs are emerging in spring.
Seasonal Activity
414,347 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Mustelidae
Traits
- Diet
- Invertebrate
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 13.0 kg
- Home range
- 1.2 km²
Photo
(c) Paul Bowyer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Paul Bowyer
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.