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.TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



2. The Badger (Meles taxus). 



(Length about 2J feet.) 



A. Structure and Food. 



From its plump body and strong legs, which in walking touch 

 the ground with the entire sole of the foot (plantigrade), we may 

 gather that we are dealing with a clumsy, awkward fellow, unable 

 either to creep or leap or climb, or to run fast or slip through crevices. 

 Consequently the badger is unable to prey upon quick-footed creatures, 

 and has to be content with food of another kind ; it is, in fact, an 

 omnivorous animal like the pig and bear (which see). 



THE BADGER. (One-eighth natural size.) 



(a) The teeth give evidence of this fact. They resemble in general 

 those of other carnivora, but the molars have broad crowns, and 

 blunt tubercles ; they are, therefore, more adapted for crushing than 

 for tearing. The food of the badger consists of juicy roots, bulbs, 

 fungi also, when obtainable, all kinds of fruit, especially sweet grapes, 

 the larvae of the cockchafer and other insects, earthworms, snails, mice 

 and rats, lizards, toads and snakes. Occasionally, also, it will plunder 

 a bird's nest, or surprise a young hare in its hiding-place. 



In the search for food it is aided by 



(b) Its long, broad and sharp claws, with which it digs for larvae and 

 worms. 



(c) By its trunk-like snout, with which it burrows among the fallen 

 leaves. 



