Common name: European Badger
Scientific name: Meles meles
Family: Mustelidae

Size:
Body length: 60–90 cm
Tail length: 12–20 cm
Weight: 7–17 kg

Identification:
A robust, low-slung mammal with a broad body, short legs, and a distinctive black-and-white striped face. The head is white with two bold black stripes running from the nose through the eyes to the ears. The body is greyish with coarse fur, and the tail is short. Its powerful forelimbs are adapted for digging.

Habitat:
Woodlands, scrublands, agricultural areas, and mountainous regions. Prefers areas with soft soil suitable for burrowing and nearby cover.

Status in Lebanon:
Resident but rarely observed. Likely under-recorded due to its nocturnal and secretive nature. Found in suitable forested and mountainous habitats.

Diet:
Omnivorous — feeds on earthworms, insects, small mammals, fruits, roots, and carrion.

Behavior:
Nocturnal and highly secretive. Spends the day in extensive underground burrow systems called setts. Emerges at night to forage. Usually solitary or in small family groups depending on habitat conditions. Known for strong digging ability and well-defined paths around its territory.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)