Badgers are short-legged omnivores in the weasel family,
Mustelidae. The 11 species of badger are grouped in three subfamilies: Melinae
(9 Eurasian badgers), Mellivorinae (the ratel) and Taxideinae (the American
badger). The Asiatic Stink badgers of the genus Mydaus were formerly included
within Melinae (and thus Mustelidae), but recent genetic evidence indicates
these are actually members of the skunk family, placing them in the taxonomic
family Mephitidae.
Badgers include the species in the genera Meles, Arctonyx,
Taxidea and Mellivora. Their lower jaws are articulated to the upper by means
of transverse condyles firmly locked into long cavities of the skull, so
dislocation of the jaw is all but impossible. This enables the badgers to
maintain their hold with the utmost tenacity, but limits jaw movement to
hinging open and shut, or sliding from side to side without the twisting
movement possible for the jaws of most mammals.
Badgers have rather short, fat bodies, with short legs built
for digging. They have elongated weasel-like heads with small ears. Their tails
vary in length depending on species; the stink badger has a very short tail,
while the ferret badger's tail can be 46–51 cm (18–20 in) long, depending on
age. They have black faces with distinctive white markings, gray bodies with a
light-coloured stripe from head to tail, and dark legs with light coloured
stomachs. They grow to around 90 centimetres (35 in) in length including tail.
The European badger is one of the largest; the American badger, the hog badger
and the honey badger are generally a little smaller and lighter. The stink
badgers are smaller still, and the ferret badgers are the smallest of all. They
weigh around 9.1–11 kg (20–20 lb) on average, with some Eurasian badgers
weighing in at around 18 kg (40 lb).
