European badger European badger The European badger ("Meles meles") also known as the Eurasian badger or simply badger"', is a species of badger in the family Mustelidae and is native to almost all of Europe and some parts of West Asia. Several subspecies are recognized; the nominate subspecies ("Meles meles meles") predominates over most of Europe. The European badger is classified as being of least concern by the IUCN as it has a wide range and a large population size which is stable, and even increasing in some areas. The European badger is a powerfully built black, white, brown and grey animal
European hedgehog days they can roll into a ball. Weaning occurs at four to six weeks of age. European hedgehogs may live to ten years of age, although the average life expectancy is three years. Starvation is the most common cause of death, usually occurring during hibernation. If alarmed, the animal will roll into a ball to protect itself. Many potential predators are repelled by its spines, but predation does occur. Remains of hedgehogs have been found in the stomachs of European badgers ("Meles meles"), red foxes ("Vulpes vulpes") and pine martens ("Martes martes"). A large portion of these may be from