Spatial organization and behaviour of badgers (Meles meles) in a moderate-density population

2006 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate L. Palphramand ◽  
Geraldine Newton-Cross ◽  
Piran C. L. White
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Moderate Density ◽  
Density Population

Socio-spatial organization of Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) in a low-density population of central Europe

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (9) ◽  
pp. 973-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Do Linh San ◽  
Nicola Ferrari ◽  
Jean-Marc Weber
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Group Formation ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Habitat Productivity ◽  
European Badgers ◽  
Social Units ◽  
Density Population

We studied the socio-spatial organization of Eurasian badgers (or European badgers), Meles meles (L., 1758), in a low-density population (estimate 1.8 badgers/km2) inhabiting a semi-rural area of western Switzerland. For this purpose, 8 badgers (5 males and 3 females) were caught at 5 different main setts and were radio-tracked between May 1994 and November 1996. The size of individual home ranges varied from 0.27 to 3.74 km2 (1.69 ± 1.33 km2 (mean ± SD), n = 8, 100% MCP), seemingly according to local variations in habitat productivity. Individual home ranges were spatially stable, but their size decreased significantly during winter (0.26 ± 0.42 km2, n = 7, 100% MCP). Badger social units consisted of 1–5 adults and (or) subadults (2.2 ± 1.5 animals, n = 9) and their yearly offspring. Group-range size varied from 0.57 to 3.74 km2 (2.12 ± 1.30 km2, n = 4) and seemed to be influenced by the spatial distribution pattern of food resources. Indeed, each group range encompassed approximately the same surface of agricultural land (about 0.60 km2). Territories were not well marked, some group ranges partly overlapped. Latrines, which were not numerous and principally located inside rather than along borders of group ranges, were only used irregularly or sporadically. This prompts us to encourage the reconsideration of the role of territorial behaviour in promoting group formation in Eurasian badgers.

Spatial organization and demography of badgers (Meles meles) in Bialowieza Primeval Forest, Poland, and the influence of earthworms on badger densities in Europe

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafal Kowalczyk ◽  
Andrzej Zalewski ◽  
Bogumila Jedrzejewska ◽  
Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Primeval Forest ◽  
Annual Productivity ◽  
Temperate Europe ◽  
Large Groups ◽  
Białowieża Primeval Forest

From 1996 to 2001 we studied the spatial organization and demography of Eurasian badgers, Meles meles, in Białowieża Primeval Forest in eastern Poland, one of the best preserved woodlands in temperate Europe. Badger density estimated on the basis of main sett distribution (0.54 sett/10 km2) and group size (3.9 individuals per sett, on average) was 2.11 badgers/10 km2. Average annual productivity of the population was 64% and the mortality rate of badgers >1 year old was 22–38% per annum. The size of territories of badger groups (n = 7), estimated by radio telemetry, varied from 8.4 to 25.5 km2 (mean 12.8 km2). Individual home ranges of badgers (n = 13) covered, on average, 9.3 km2, and varied seasonally and among animals of different age and sex classes (from 4.0 to 24.4 km2). Home ranges of adult badgers were significantly larger than those of subadults. Badgers occupied larger home ranges in summer, when earthworm availability was low. The size of both group territories and individual home ranges was influenced by the distribution of oak–lime–hornbeam (OLH) forests, habitats rich in earthworms. Based on our findings and a review of literature, we propose that the standing crop of biomass of earthworms (Lumbricus spp.), the main food of badgers in a large part of their geographic range, and mean annual temperature are crucial factors shaping the densities of badgers in the European temperate and boreal zones. We also suggest that abundance of food resources is the essential factor underlying the great variation in badger sociality (from pairs to large groups).

scholarly journals Effects of culling on badger Meles meles spatial organization: implications for the control of bovine tuberculosis

2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROSIE WOODROFFE ◽  
CHRISTL A. DONNELLY ◽  
D. R. COX ◽  
F. JOHN BOURNE ◽  
C. L. CHEESEMAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bovine Tuberculosis ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Meles Meles

Observations on marking behaviour in a low-density population of European badgers (Meles meles)

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Balestrieri ◽  
Luigi Remonti ◽  
Claudio Prigioni
Keyword(s):  
Meles Meles ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Marking Behaviour ◽  
European Badgers ◽  
Density Population

Factors shaping population density, demography and spatial organization of the Eurasian badger Meles meles in mountains – the Western Carpathians (Southern Poland) as a case study

2012 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Mysłajek ◽  
Sabina Nowak ◽  
Anna Rożen ◽  
Bogumiła Jędrzejewska
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Western Carpathians ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Southern Poland ◽  
Eurasian Badger ◽  
Arable Fields

We studied the socio-spatial ecology of the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) along the altitudinal gradient (250-1257 m a.s.l.) of the Western Carpathians (Southern Poland), 2004-2009. Family groups were small (mean 2.3 individuals) and home-ranges large (mean 5.42 km2, MCP 100%), which gave a low population density (2.2 individuals/10 km2). Badgers foraged mainly in the foothills, irrespective of the altitude at which their sett was located. They mostly searched for food in meadows, pastures and arable fields (34.4% of telemetry locations), or among shrubs (33.9%). Badgers were killed by hunters (0.37 individuals/10 km2 annually), and by wolves (0.07 individuals/10 km2). The badger population density was influenced mostly by the abundance of earthworms and hunting pressure, while the size and shape of their territories was determined by the distribution of foraging grounds.

scholarly journals Mating system of the Eurasian badger, Meles meles, in a high density population

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 273-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETRA J. CARPENTER ◽  
LISA C. POPE ◽  
CAROLYN GREIG ◽  
DEBORAH A. DAWSON ◽  
LUCY M. ROGERS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mating System ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
High Density ◽  
High Density Population ◽  
Eurasian Badger ◽  
Density Population

scholarly journals Movement of badgers (Meles meles) in a high–density population: individual, population and disease effects

1998 ◽  
Vol 265 (1403) ◽  
pp. 1269-1276 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Rogers ◽  
R. Delahay ◽  
C. L. Cheeseman ◽  
S. Langton ◽  
G. C. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meles Meles ◽  
High Density ◽  
High Density Population ◽  
Density Population

Spatial organization and mating behavior of the Japanese serow under a low population density

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-226
Author(s):  
Hayato Takada ◽  
Keita Nakamura ◽  
Haruko Watanabe ◽  
Masato Minami
Keyword(s):  
Mating Behavior ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
High Density ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Agonistic Interaction ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Japanese Serow ◽  
Density Population

AbstractIn high-density populations, the adults of the Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) defend their home ranges against same-sex intruders, and a male’s territory typically overlaps with those of one to three females. We examined the spatial organization and mating behavior of the species in a low-density population by direct observation and radio-tracking over a 4-year period. The home range size of both males and females was more than 4 times larger than that reported in high-density populations. Adult females had ranges that overlapped little, even though they were never observed in agonistic interaction. In contrast, adult males had ranges that overlapped largely except in their core areas, and appeared to be tolerant on encounters, suggesting they did not defend their whole range as a territory. Although males’ ranges overlapped with multiple female ranges, males were only observed following a single female during the mating season. These findings suggest that males directly defended a female rather than a territory, and that the mating system is monogamous. The Japanese serow’s social organization would therefore vary according to ecological conditions.

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