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range of animal and plant foods. It digs for much of its food with the
long, powerful claws on its front feet. Badgers excavate large and
often complex burrow systems (setts), frequently among tree roots
and often on sloping ground. Unlike the Honey Badger, the Eurasian
Badger is social, with family groups, called clans, sharing a sett. It is
strictly nocturnal, but will lie outside den entrances during the day.
The sleeping sections of the sett are lined with dry plant material.
During severe weather, such as snowstorms, Eurasian Badgers may
remain in their dens for weeks and even months. It is not known to
what extent this applies in the region. Births of 2–6 cubs usually take
place in February–March across much of this badger’s range. Young
badgers each weigh just 70 g at birth.
Distribution and Status This species is absent from North Africa and
most of Arabia, but known to occur in Israel and Lebanon, with a few
records from Iraq and Syria. It is relatively widely distributed in Turkey
and occurs in the forests of northern Iran, as well as the south-west,
including suitable areas in the Zagros ranges. Elsewhere it lives from
Western Europe to China and Siberia.
Conservation Areas None known.
EURASIAN OTTER Lutra lutra
Identification This is the only otter likely to be encountered in the
region. The overall body coloration is dark brown, looking almost black
when wet, and the lips, cheeks, throat and upper chest are white to
fawnish-white. The feet are webbed and each toe has a distinct claw.
The muscular tail is thick at the base and tapers towards the tip; it is
longer than the head and body length (50–82 cm).