Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Musteloidae
- Genus
- Meles
- Species
- Meles meles
Habitat
Iberian badgers primarily inhabit woodlands, forests, and scrublands in the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain and Portugal. They prefer areas with dense vegetation for cover and dig extensive burrow systems in well-drained soils. They are adaptable to various terrains but avoid open agricultural fields.
Diet
Iberian badgers are omnivorous, feeding on earthworms, insects, small mammals like rodents, and fruits or roots. They forage at night using their acute sense of smell to locate food, often digging into the ground. Their diet shifts seasonally, with more invertebrates in spring and plant matter in autumn.
Behavior
Iberian badgers are primarily nocturnal, emerging from their setts at dusk to forage and explore. They live in social groups of up to 10 individuals, typically family units, and are highly territorial, marking boundaries with scent glands. They exhibit playful behaviors and complex communication through vocalizations and postures.
Conservation Status
The Iberian badger is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend, though it faces threats from habitat loss due to urbanization and road accidents.