BADGER
Meles meles
Page index 
   PAGE INDEX	
1. Lateral view
2. Teeth of upper jaw
3. Details
4. Web Links
 A large, powerful mustelid, with a very robust skull, virtually devoid of sutures. 
TAXONOMY
Order - Carnivora (typical carnivores)
Suborder - Canoidea ("dog kind")
Family - Mustelidae (weasels)

Dental Formula : 3.1.3.1 / 3.1.3.1 (additional vestigial 1st premolar may be present, and can be seen in the
Dental Formula : 3.1.3.1 / 3.1.3.1 specimen illustrated on the Umich site - see refs section below)

Images with text
1. Badger skull, lateral view.

"Wrap-around" jaw hinge means that lowerjaw cannot be removed from skull.

Prominent sagittal crest, increases in size with age.

2. Teeth of upper jaw.

a Rear molars wide and flat, indicating adaptation to an omnivorous diet.

Details of Specimens Illustrated

Image 1 & 2
Badger Meles meles
Stage - adult
Collection ref. 89.017
Date collected - 1989
Area collected - Bristol
Source - Road casualty
Measurements
Condylobasal length121mm Zygomatic width79mm
Jaw length86mm Interorbital width31mm
Postorbital constriction26mm

Scientific name : Meles is the latin word for a badger

Web Links
Steve Jackson's Badger Site - A One-Stop-Shop for badger enthusiasts.
University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web

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