Overwintering strategies of the badger, Meles meles, at 57 °N

Abstract

With 7 figures in the text)Over two eight-month periods (October/November-May) during successive winters (1983/4 and 1984/5), the body temperatures and activity patterns of captive badgers, Meles rneles, living under semi-natural conditions, were studied at 57 "N in Scotland. Temperature-sensitive radio transmitters and automated telemetry systems provided long-term records of body temperatures and times badgers were absent from an artificial sett.Badger body temperatures of 28-34 "C, significantly below euthermic levels, were recorded between October/November and March each winter, with differences between mean daily maxima and minima varying from 1.6 to 8.9 "C. This was associated with a reduction, by up to 90%, in the time that the badgers spent outside their sett in mid-winter. Body temperatures did not show circadian cyclicity, but from February onwards most locomotor activity occurred between 22:OO and 02:OO GMT. The extent to which activity was concentrated around midnight increased with decreasing night length in spring.The body temperatures of one female badger fell to a nadir of 28 "C immediately prior to ovoimplantation. During post-implantation gestation, the body temperature of this female rose steadily, but had reached only 34.6 "C at parturition.Photoperiod correlated closely with seasonal changes in body temperatures and activity levels, and is suggested as the primary synchronizer of seasonal activity and body temperature cycles. Other environmental variables, particularly ambient temperature and snow-cover, appeared to act as modulating influences on these cycles.It is postulated that during the winter, when climatic conditions are responsible for a shortage of food and an increase in heat loss, winter lethargy is an adaptation which enables the European badger to maintain energy balance. Reduced activity and confinement within sheltered setts, together with reduced body temperatures, enable the badgers to rely heavily on energy stored in adipose tissue during the autumn.

Variations in scent-marking behaviour of European badgersMeles meles in the vicinity of their setts

“…Badger setts, however, are usually situated in the core area of the territories (Doncaster and Woodroffe 1993) and are hence only rarely visited by intruders (Kruuk 1989). In winter, badgers are less active and often stay underground for the majority of the night (Fowler and Racey 1988). During the mating season, males patrol the sett, investigating the different sett entrances to find oestrous females ( Stewart 1997, pers.…”

Influence of extrinsic variables on activity and habitat selection of lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in the coastal sand plain shrub, southern Brazil

“…However, in these areas, tapirs were more nocturnal in hotter days and more diurnal in the colder days. The decrease of diurnal activity and increase of nocturnal activity during higher temperatures was also related to large and medium mammals as lynxes (Beltrán and Delibes 1994), jackals (Ferguson et al 1988), bears (Garshelis and Pelton 1980), martens (Zielinski et al 1983) and badgers (Fowler and Racey 1988). In intermediate temperatures, tapirs used both covered and open areas, but the open areas were used in these temperatures only.…”

Daily activity of the European Badger (Meles meles, Mustelidae, Carnivora) on setts in Darwin Reserve and Meschera National Park (Russia) in summer and autumn

“…The results of our studies showed that the daily activity of the European badger in popula- Weather conditions are considered among the factors determining the daily activity of the badger (Neal, 1948;Cresswell & Harris, 1988;Fowler & Racey, 1988), as well as human and predator impact (Goszczyński et al, 2005;Rosalino et al, 2005). However, the population density of the wolf (Canis lupus (Linnaeus, 1758)) and lynx (Lynx lynx (Linnaeus, 1758)) (the main predators of the badger) is not high in most of Europe.…”

“…Many researchers note a negative correlation between the duration of badger activity and the duration of daylight and the intensity of moonlight (Neal, 1948, Cresswell & Harris, 1988, Fowler & Racey, 1988. However, in some populations the European badger begins to leave the shelters before dark as the length of the daylight increases.…”

“…Daily activity of European badger was studied most extensively in the western part of its range, in those populations where animals were monitored by radio tracking or by numerous observations near settlements (Neal, 1948;Cresswell & Harris, 1988;Fowler & Racey, 1988;Tuyttens et al, 2001;Kowalczyk et al, 2003;Goszczyński et al, 2005;Rosalino et al, 2005;Do Linh San et al, 2007).…”