Features of badger (Meles meles L., 1758) nutrition in the Kharkiv Region
Abstract
During the autumn season of 2001–2010 badger nutrition in Kharkiv region was studied. Studies were based on analysis of badgers’ excrements. Composition of badger nutrition in Kharkiv region was described. Results of this study were compared with results of other authors. The results show that at the studied area in the autumn plant components were 72.7% of the total diet, 24.5% were rodents and 2.6% of the diet were birds in this period. Remains of animals mainly belonged to rodents (fragments of jaws with teeth, hair, bones and parts of the spine). Quite rarely small amount of undigested birds remains were found (feathers and bone fragments). As part of the diet in this period the presence of components such as amphibians, reptiles and insects was not detected, due to its unavailability at this time of year. That small amount of excrements which were collected at two other areas, can only provide a preliminary characterization of the badger nutrition in this period of the year. We can only say that in these cases the prevalence of herbal ingredients over animals was even more significant.
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