Ecological Adjustments and Behavioural Patterns of the European Badger in North-Western Italy

Abstract

The European badger is a highly adaptable species, inhabiting a range of environments across Europe, from woodlands to urban areas, with its behaviour influenced by environmental conditions and human activities. This study examines the badger feeding habits, patterns of diel activity, and sett site choice in north-western Italy, assessing how landscape composition affects these behaviours. We conducted our research across seven study areas in northern Italy from December 2020 to November 2022, utilising camera trapping, faeces analysis, and sett surveys. Our findings revealed significant dietary variation, with earthworms being the primary food source in natural landscapes, while fleshy fruits being consumed especially in mixed and heavily modified landscapes, up to constitute the staple of the diet in one agricultural area. Badgers were found to be nocturnal, primarily active between sunset and sunrise. Setts varied considerably in structure and location, with a preference for natural grounds over human-made structures; key factors influencing sett site choice included slope, exposure, and vegetation cover. This study underscores the European badger’s remarkable adaptability, illustrating how its diet, activity patterns, and sett site preferences are shaped by a complex interplay of factors, allowing the species to thrive in both pristine and modified environments across northern Italy.

Keywords

• <i>Meles meles</i>
• feeding habits
• diel activity patterns
• sett site selection
• landscape adaptability