Download Flora and Fauna - Hotel Le Fontanelle

THE FLORA
The life of a tree
Trees get most of their nutrients from the soil; water and minerals are absorbed
through the roots and transported via special channels or veins to the leaves. Thanks
to the process of photosynthesis, this nutritious concoction undergoes a crucial
chemical transformation; fused with the carbon dioxide absorbed by the leaves, it is
converted into oxygen and energy-containing carbohydrates (sucrose, glucose and
starch); these sugars continue to circulate around the plant whilst the oxygen is
released into the atmosphere. These complex plants are able to live completely
independently and are characterised by their biological cycles.
Plants are subdivided into 3 main categories: grasses, shrubs and trees, although they are not always easily
distinguishable. There are many morphologic states, which are often determined by the surrounding
environment. According to the traditional definition, trees are made of a wooden substance and have a
defined stalk or trunk, which, in a mature plant, should measure at least 5 cm in diameter 1.3cm in breadth
and 5 metres in height. The branches stem from the main body of the trunk and vary in form and size
depending on the species.
The Cypress (Cupressaceae)
Despite a wide diffusion throughout Italy, the cypress tree was originally native
to the eastern Mediterranean, Syria and Persia. The species was most likely
brought to the Italian peninsular by the Phoenicians in remote times. It has
readily dispersed, adapting to the Italian climate and terrain, and in particular
parts of central Italy where it has become a symbolic part of the Tuscan hillside
landscape along with the olive groves and marine pines.
There is much controversy about how the tree got its name; one theory states
that the tree’s name derives from a Greek legend telling about a young man
called ‘Cyparissus’, the grandson of Hercules, who was favoured greatly by the
God Apollo. Cyparissus accidentally killed his beloved pet stag, he became so
distraught and grief ridden he begged Apollo to let him die alongside the animal. The god was so moved by
his plea that he transformed him into a tree: the cypress.
In ancient times, the plant was often associated with Pluto, the God of Hell; however, being an evergreen
species with a strong, hard durable wood, it has been adopted by the Christian faith as a symbol
representing the continuation of life after death. It is thought to be for this reason that the cypress tree can
often be found in cemeteries and places of rest; and that, unlike the oak tree for example, the roots of the
cypress grow in a similar formation to its branches hence avoiding interference with the coffins and tombs
buried underground.
The wood of the cypress is aromatic, tender yet resistant, with a yellowish or red-brown hue; it is often used
in furniture making as it boasts excellent qualities against fungal and parasitic attacks. Due to these
important characteristics it has long been used to make wicker hampers, chests and wardrobes for fur and
woollen garments. Due to its high durability it is said to have been used in the construction of St. Peter’s
Basilica, Rome, in the era of Constantine (306-337 A.D), in fact when the cathedral doors were replaced, 8
centuries later, they were still in perfect condition.
Fruits
The fruit is an elongated spherical form, with 8-14 wooden scales of about 3.5cm in
diameter. They mature every two years; a small narrow winged membrane surrounds the
seeds. The botanical term for the fruit of the Cupressaceae Sempervirens tree are called
galbulus, from the Latin word literally meaning cypress cone.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves stem directly from the branches, they are small and oval in shape with a pointed
angular apex and are green-grey in colour; they have scaly texture. The flowers of the
cypress tree are unisexual inflorescences, or clusters of flowers. The male flowers are
numerous oval strobilus (cone), which are yellowish in colour; the female flowers are fewer
and rather more globular with a strobile (cone) projection in the centre of each. They have
spring blooms between February and May.
The Oak (Quercus)
There are up to 400 documented subspecies of the oak dispersed worldwide. The
Quercus robur or Pendunclate oak is a tall growing tree, often reaching 35 metres
in height, although in some isolated cases it has been documented to extend to
over 40 metres. The oak has a long lifespan and can easily exceed an incredible
500 years of age. The crown of the tree grows quite wide, forming an oval shaped
dome with a dense canopy of leaves, which alternate on the branches to let the
sunlight penetrate through them. Hence forests formed predominantly of the oak
species, have a rich shrub life with abundant undergrowth. The trunk is sturdy and
branchy, the bark of a young specimen is smooth and a grey-green in colour, yet
in a more mature plant it is thick, gnarled and furrowed with extended vertical cracks. The bark of the oak is
universally used for tanning and dying.
On the branches, leaves or buds of the oak it is possible to find ‘galls’ most commonly known as ‘oak
apples’. These are the chemical response to an attack by certain insects or parasites, which produce hard
brown growths most commonly spherical in shape, however the form can vary.
The oak needs deep, humid terrain, rich in minerals, in which to grow; the soil being either clay or sandy in
substance. It demands a warm, sunny climate, however it is tolerant to winter frosts. The oak is native to
most of Europe, Asia Minor, the Caucasus and some parts of North Africa; it is particularly prevalent in
central Europe where it forms woods either alone or with other tree species.
Acorns, the fruit of the oak tree, are a highly prized food for many animals as they have a high fat and
carbohydrate content. In medieval times swine were allowed to graze in the woods of the feudal lord; this
became of great importance, and as a consequence forests and wooded areas were measured by the
quantity of pigs that could be fed. Still to this day ground-toasted acorns are often used as a substitute for
coffee.
Traditionally and in many mythological legends, the oak tree was considered a symbol of strength. The term
Quercus derives from the Celtic language meaning (Quer) ‘fine’ or ‘beautiful’ (cuez) ‘tree’, robur meaning
‘strength’ due to the robust and almost indestructible nature of the tree. Robin Hood lived in Sherwood
Forest, an extensive oak forest, that still to this day covers much of Nottingham county. The oaks were
sacred to the Druids, and their Priests used a golden sickle to collect mistletoe (a parasitic plant) that grew
on the oak tree. The Greeks and the Romans also considered the oak a sacred tree, Zeus, the guardian of
peace and order, used the oak tree along with the thunderbolt, and eagle as his symbols; it is said that he
revealed his will to his priests by rustling the leaves of the tree. Moreover, it is believed that Zeus married
his wife Hera in an oak wood. Even the prow of the Argon, the ship of the Argonauts was supposed to be
made from a piece of sacred oak cut by the Goddess Athena. Capitol hill in Rome, which was consecrated to
Jupiter, appears to have been covered by oak groves in ancient times.
Leaves
The Oak has simple lobed, obovate leaves, of about 10cm in length, which are wavy, narrowing
at the base with two auricles. They are glabrous (smooth and even) with a short petiole (leaf
stalk) (0.5-1 cm), stemming alternately, right and left from the branch or twig. They have a
leathery texture resembling parchment in consistency; the young leaves when pubescent
become glabrous on their upside, whilst the underside of the leaf is covered in short fine star-shaped hairs.
Flowers
The oak tree is monoecious (this means that it bears flowers of both sexes), and although separated, the
flowers appear on the same branch. The dangling tassel-like catkins are actually inflorescences of male
flowers; each protuberance on the catkin is a flower – consisting of a bract (a modified
leaf), a lobed calyx (a collective of sepals) and a stamen with a yellow-brown anther
where the pollen is produced. The tiny female flowers are formed of a 3-lobed stigma,
and are found at the leaf axil where the stalk meets the twig; these are cup-shaped
and attached to the branch by a pendulous peduncle (stalk) and are formed from
numerous scaly bracts that wrap around the ovaries. Once fertilised by the airborne
pollen, the ovaries develop into an acorn - the fruit of the oak tree.
THE
THE FAUNA
The Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
DESCRITPION
The Wild boar vary greatly in size, depending on their subspecies.
Their weight is relative to their age and the availability of food. In
the Italian Alps, the weight of an adult ‘black’ (so called due to
their dark grey-black coat) can fluctuate between 100kg – 200kg
with a shoulder height of approximately 90cm. Some of the larger
species can weigh up to a staggering 350kg. These animals are
characterised by their short bristly coat, conical snout, and short
stumpy legs. They have a thick nonvascular hide, which protects them from a large majority of wounds and
infections inflicted during their movements through the Mediterranean scrublands, and also offers some
protection from animal bites i.e. vipers.
During the lead up to the mating season (around October- November), the male boar in particular, develops
thick layers of fat to protect their flanks and armour themselves against rival attacks. ---Throughout the
mating season male boars fight each other to gain access to the female; they lash out with their head, which
can be particularly dangerous due to the sharp canine teeth, which protrude from their snout. Additionally,
this stored fat is used as an energy reserve during this time, when the animals tend to feed less.
HABIT
The wild pig has an aggressive temperament; the males use their large canines during combat as well as for
digging and foraging for food in the undergrowth. The wild boar has a varied and adaptable omnivorous diet;
they eat roots, nuts, and many other vegetable based foods, but also insects and small animals - they have
even been known to eat small deer and lambs.
Boars are known to be the only hoofed animals to dig burrows, which the female camouflages with twigs,
leaves and other vegetation. A sow’s litter can consist of between 2 – 12 piglets; birth, or furrowing, takes
place between February and March, generally in a secluded area away from the social group. The male
piglets stay with the mother sow for the first 1-2 years, and then leave until they reach maturity.
The Boars’ social group is called a sounder - it is mostly made up of female sows and their piglets from the
current or previous years litter. Once reaching 2 years of age, the males leave the sounder to live solitarily
or in small groups until mating season begins.
In woodlands the boars’ presence has a positive effect, since, with their continual digging in search of food,
they burry seeds and eliminate harmful insects, thus aiding the evolution of forest life. Due to the constant
reduction of the boars’ habitat, they are now forced to search for food elsewhere - often in agricultural
areas. They frequently feed on cultivated cereals, fruits and grapes, so they are, and always have been,
considered pests by farmers and land owners, and are subjected to culling by hunting.
The Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
DESCRIPTION
The The Roe Deer is an ungulate mammal (has hooves)
and lives predominantly in Europe and Asia Minor. It is
quite a small deer, with a body length of 90-130cm, a
shoulder height of 55-77cm and weight of between 1027kg. The body is a reddish brown, with a grey face; its
hide is golden red in the summer months but tending
towards dark brown or even black in the winter, with light
coloured undersides and a white rump patch. The tail is
very short and barely visible. The male Roe deer has short antlers, which, in mature males, have between 24 points; these antlers are shed during the winter (October – December), but re-grow for the mating
season.
HABITAT
The Roe Deer is mostly found in open forest areas, where there is a combination of thick dense underbrush
and clearings. It may also venture into grasslands, marshes or cultivated fields providing there is some
shelter, but it can also be seen in hilly or mountainous terrain.
BEHAVIOUR
In the past, the Roe Deer was considered to be a solitary animal, however today we know that it actually
has a complex social behaviour. The male bucks, for the majority of the year, lead a solitary existence partly
due to the territorial disputes that start at the end of the winter. The female does often live in a pack of
approximately 3-7 individuals (though the pack can be larger), led by the dominant female. In these packs
the social hierarchies and relationships are very defined and structured. In early summer (May-June), the
doe typically gives birth to two fawns (usually one male and one female). The fawns have a light brown coat
with white spots, and are suckled by the doe for around 3 months. Mating season starts at the end of July
for about a month; courtship consists of the buck chasing the doe, often leaving a set of tracks in figure of
eight pattern called “Roe-Rings”. Female Roe Deer are monoestrus and the gestation period lasts
approximately 9 and a half months. After fertilisation occurs, the embryo is not immediately implanted in the
uterus but remains dormant until December, when it resumes the developmental process - this procedure is
called embryonic diapause or ‘delayed implantation’. With the coming of autumn, the bucks join the pack of
does and occupy the lower end of the hierarchy. The fawns reach sexual maturity at about 14 months of age
and have a maximum life span of 12 – 18 years.
The
The Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
MORPHOLOGIC AND ANATOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The adult male stag can reach up to 2.5 metres in length
(excluding the tail that doesn’t exceed 20cm) and has a height at
the withers of 1.5 metres, with a weight of between 150kg – 300
kg. The trunk of the body is long and athletic and is slightly
tapered at the groin. The shoulders are rounded and muscular;
the chest wide; and the rump straight and powerful. The deer’s
neck is long and slender, holding the head high and the forefront a
little sunken, widening at the base. The muzzle is straight, tapering slightly towards the tip and its eyes are
average in size, bright, with oval shaped pupils. The lachrymal gland is large, and forms a type of extended
hollow, where a characteristic oily substance, used for scenting, is excreted. This substance descends into
the corners of the deer’s mouth and is released when the animal scratches its head against the bark of the
trees. The deer’s ears are long, wide and flexible. Its limbs, which are of medium size, are slim but robust,
with a narrow pointed hoof; the nails of the posterior hoof are rounded, severed at the extremities, and do
not touch the ground except when the animal runs. The deer has a smooth coat, which is composed of
bristly hairs and fine fur that lengthen distinctly on the tail; above the lips and around the eyes there are a
series of fine bristles. The coat changes colour depending on the season, the age of the animal and its sex.
During the summer months the coat tends to be red-brown in colour, whilst during the winter it changes to a
brown-grey and becomes noticeably thicker. The coat of a mature female hind is much paler in colour, whilst
the coat of a younger specimen is redder with white markings that tend to fade with age. The antlers are the
most characteristic and possibly even the most biologically interesting attribute of the male deer. Between
the seventh and eighth month of life each of the two fontal pedicles (the attachment point on the skull, from
which the antlers grow) begin to curve, forming a permanent protruberance that increases in size each year.
A soft covering called velvet protects the growing antlers. At the end of the winter, the first tine (branch)
appears on the pedicle, the antlers can grow an amazing 2.5cm each day; the following July the antlers
reach their maximum growth, and the growing cartilage ossifies. In their second year of life the antlers of
the young stag decalcify, and with minimum provocation they break and fall. As antlers are testosterone
driven, this phenomenon repeats on a yearly basis – the antlers stop growing in the autumn when the
testosterone levels decrease, they loose their velvet, and they shed the antlers in the winter. In the spring,
when the hormone levels rise again, the antlers re-grow, always forming on the same pedicle and covered in
‘velvet’; they reach their maximum dimensions within about four months. Each year the number of tines on
each of the antlers increases; after seven years of age, the number of tines varies between 6-11, after
which the stag will not develop others. The antlers of the European red deer are quite distinctive, growing
straight with a rugous texture; this is especially so in the larger males, where the fourth and fifth tines form
a “cup” shape with any further tines radiating from it. The size and weight of the antlers vary between
individuals - generally the antler’s length can range from 70cm to an exceptional 1,30m, and their weight is
on average between 8-10kg.
REPRODUCTION
The rut, or mating season, starts at the beginning of September; this is the most favourable time of the year
as the deer has had the spring and summer to prepare for the long search for its mate. The lush spring
pastures have reinforced the animal’s organism, whilst the summer has seen the growth of its summer coat
and the full development of the stag’s antlers. During the rut the stags disband and move with the hind herd
trying to attract as many females as possible. The stag groups the hinds together in harems of between 515, which they then guard jealously. Fighting amongst rival stags is nearly always bloodless, since the
triumphant male moves territory. Rutting generally lasts from mid-September to mid-October and during
this period every stag can mate with up to 25 females. For the majority of the year, the sexes live apart
coming together only for the rut; once the mating season is finished, the stags rejoins the male herd and
resume normal life. The females regroup with the young and search for a secure place to spend the first part
of the gestation period. Pregnancy lasts 260 days, in May or June, each hind gives birth to just one fawn,
and they rarely bare twins. Even though sexual maturity is reached by the second year, the deer are only
able to procreate from the end of their third year.
ECOLOGY AND ETHOLOGY
The red deer moves lightly and elegantly through dense forests and in prairie land, at varying altitudes. The
deer are majestic and speedy in trot and gallop, and are agile and skilful jumpers that can reach up to 2m in
height. The deer’s hoof prints are of great importance during the hunting season. The deer usually search for
food at nightfall. During the spring they devour fresh grass, buds, new leaves and twigs, whilst in summer
they prefer ripened grain, oats, carrots and beets. The winter is the hardest time of year for the deer, since
the land is covered in snow and food is scarce. The deer has to survive on bark, dry vegetation, and roots,
which they laboriously dig up with their hooves.
The Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
DESCRIPTION
The pheasant’s body is slender, with a short neck, a small head and short roundedoff wings. Its tail is long and made up of sixteen or eighteen perfectly arranged tail
feathers and it has a slim, curved, hooked beak, a small crest and wattles. Its feet
are of medium width that, interestingly in the male birds, have a residual digit
called a dewclaw. The plumage covers the whole body of the bird, with the
exception of the wattles, crest and feet, and the feathers are mostly large and
rounded at the apex. Around the back of the neck, the nape, the bonnet and collar,
the feathers are exceptionally long and fine; the plumage on the body is
sporadically frayed and although is not as lustrous as the head, it consists of the most elegant gradients of
colour. The females are generally smaller than the males and have a shorter tail; the female birds have a
much plainer and less distinguished plumage.
HABITAT
Almost all of the 49 species of pheasant are originally native to Asia and there are 39 subspecies of the
Phasianus colchicus pheasant alone.
The birds rarely enter forest or woodland areas as they require more open land to satisfy their needs so they
can usually be seen in fields, grass lands and fertile plains. However some species of pheasant are found in
mountainous regions, and are able to withstand even the most rigorous winters. All pheasants have limited
territorial range and generally remain in the terrain where they were bred, probably due to their sedentary
habits and their disinclination to fly - like all gallinaceous birds (ground-feeding, domestic or game birds)
their flight is laborious and they will fly only when extremely necessary. Pheasants make a strong
characteristic cry on take-off and, when flying at a higher altitude, they glide with open wings and a
horizontal tail. Back on the ground, they walk slowly and carefully, raising their beautiful tail so as to avoid
damage; however, when disturbed, they lower their head, raise their tail and frequently use their wings to
increase the speed of movement. Pheasants feed solely on the ground during the day, eating on vast
amounts of vegetation from seeds to berries and leaves, and also a wide range of invertebrates and
vertebrates such as snakes, lizards, small mammals and occasionally even birds. They tend to roost in trees
at night, keeping a straight posture and vertically dangling their long tail. The birds’ senses are well
developed, but their faculties are mediocre. They are gregarious and live peacefully in flocks for the majority
of the year, but during the mating season, when the male birds become jealous and there are frequent
fights between males. By nature, pheasants are quite shy birds preferring to hide as much as possible in
grass and bushes and avoiding vast open spaces. They tend not to form large flocks, as their main
occupation is to forage for food - spending extensive periods of time both in the morning and the evening
feeding and only for a brief period in the afternoon. The pheasant is more at risk than any of its fellow
counterparts, mainly due to the human’s avid desire for its exquisite meat, but also the bird’s sorry lack of
intelligence.
REPRODUCTION
As a general rule, the pheasant is polygynous, and each male is accompanied by a harem of five or six
females. Driven by the desire to conquer the female, the male bird starts a ritual performance; he circles the
female whilst raising the neck and forelock feathers, displaying the shoulder and tail plumage and hissing,
but as soon as copulation is completed, the male disregards the female and rejoins his peers. The female
finds a secluded corner and digs a nest, dressing it perfunctorily, in which to lay her eggs. She lays a clutch
of six, eight or even twelve eggs over a period of 2-3 weeks between the months of April and June. After a
23-26 day incubation period the chicks hatch; like other gallinaceous birds, the chicks are lively, they grow
so rapidly that by the second week of life they are already capable of flight and perching in trees. After 2-3
months they are fully developed adults, however they continue to remain protected by their parents until the
autumn.
The Porcupine (Hystrix cristata)
cristata)
CHARACTERISTICS
The Crested porcupine is a nocturnal rodent, distinguished by its squat
body, large head and thick bristly coat of long elastic quills. It is the
largest subspecies of porcupine, reaching a length of approximately
80cm (inclusive of a10cm tail measurement), and an approximate
height of 25cm; the larger individuals can weigh up to 20kg. The
porcupine has an acute sense of smell, which compensates for its
limited sight and hearing. Above the top lip there are various lines of
black whiskers, whilst, on its head and extending down its back, there
is a ‘crest’ of long, rough, white bristles; the anterior part of the body and tail is covered by long, sharp,
black and white spiky quills which narrow and become hollow at the tips. These quills can reach up to 40cm
long on the animals’ back; whilst on the tail they don’t exceed 5cm in length. The underside of the body is
covered in a dark bristles.
RANGE
The Crested porcupine is a nocturnal rodent, distinguished by its squat body, large head and thick bristly
coat of long elastic quills. It is the largest subspecies of porcupine, reaching a length of approximately 80cm
(inclusive of a10cm tail measurement), and an approximate height of 25cm; the larger individuals can weigh
up to 20kg. The porcupine has an acute sense of smell, which compensates for its limited sight and hearing.
Above the top lip there are various lines of black whiskers, whilst, on its head and extending down its back,
there is a ‘crest’ of long, rough, white bristles; the anterior part of the body and tail is covered by long,
sharp, black and white spiky quills which narrow and become hollow at the tips. These quills can reach up to
40cm long on the animals’ back; whilst on the tail they don’t exceed 5cm in length. The underside of the
body is covered in a dark bristles.
HABITAT
The crested porcupines are very adaptable animals; they are prevalent in flat lands, forests and
mountainous terrain. They live in shrub-lands, inaccessible woods and often in cultivated areas.
BEHAVIOR
They are solitary animals and spend most of the day hidden in burrows, and then at night, they forage for
food. Generally porcupines have a passive nature, although irascible at times, but are easily frightened; they
are slow moving except for when they dig. In winter, they can remain entire days in their burrows; however
this is not a form of hibernation. At the slightest sign of danger, they raise their crest and fan out their quills
on their lower back and tail to create the illusion of increased size. If threatened, they shake their tail quills,
which being hollow create a particular whirring sound, they also stamp their feet and charge backwards as if
to strike out at the enemy.
REPRODUCTION
The mating season starts during the summer and, after a gestation period of approximately 120 days, the
female usually gives birth in a separate chamber within the burrow system. The litter consists of 2–4 well
developed babies, who are born with their eyes open and their incisors already cut through; their body is
covered in dark hair, soft back spines and extended sensory bristles. The offspring remain with their parents
for their first year of life - protected from predators and the cold. The young porcupines become sexually
mature 1-2 years after birth.
FEEDING HABITS
The Porcupine is predominantly a herbivore, foraging at night in the woodlands in search of fruits, tubers,
roots, tender bark and leaves, although it often ventures into cultivated fields to find food. It is said that
they also feed on carrion and small insects and chews on animal bones for calcium and to sharpen their
incisors.
The Fox (Vulpus vulpus)
ASPECT
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a carnivorous mammal pertaining to
the Canidae family. Of all the species that form the Vulpes genus,
the Red Fox is the largest and the most diffused, comprising
numerous subspecies. The fur renders the fox more striking than it
actually is, particularly during the winter months when it is thicker.
DESCRIPTION
The coat of the Red Fox, which is most often red, can also have yellow to brown hues depending on the
individual animal and the region it is from. The throat, abdomen and the extremities of the long, bushy tail
are white. The muzzle is long, the ears triangular and flexible. The fox is a very agile animal, which likes to
play fight, and is extremely sly.
FEEDING HABITS
The fox’s preferred food is rabbits and other rodents; however being a solitary, opportunistic hunter the fox
easily adapts to its surrounding environment, often feeding on small birds, insects, worms, carrion, fruits
and berries, and even fish. Foxes are known to bury their food for later consumption. They tend to hunt
during night fall and use different methods of approach, depending on the prey – by a surprise pounce
attack catching their victim unawares; by hunting their prey; or by digging their victims out of burrows or
holes using their long muzzle.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
The foxes usually live in their breeding pairs with their young offspring; it is, however, possible to see
solitary individuals, or packs of 4 or 6 adults together, which often consist of the pair and their offspring
from previous years. The male systematically marks its territory and communicates with its kind through
sound (barks, calls, cries or screams), through visual signals such as tail wagging, facial expressions and
posture, tactile play and also by olfactory markings. The scent is excreted from glands found in the anus,
between the pads on the front paws, the on the tail and the face, saliva is also used to mark vegetation. A
fox can recognise another individual from these scent markings, deciphering its hierarchical rank and social
level. The fox is generally a monogamous animal, the pairs tending to re-form each year. The male fox plays
an active part in the rearing of the pups, making frequent trips to and from the den providing food for the
vixen and their offspring; he also protects the pups from predators.
REPRODUCTION
The mating season varies and differs depending on the latitudinal zone. In this particular region, it takes
place each year between December and February, and the pups are born in March and April. Gestation lasts
approximately 7 weeks and the vixen gives birth to 3 - 5 pups. The vixen exclusively nurses her offspring in
the den for the first month of life; then they start to eat regurgitated alimony - a feeding technique that
allows the pups adequate nourishment without exposing them to the dangers outside the den.
REARING
During the first 2 weeks of life, the mother vixen doesn’t leave the litter, but dedicates this time to lactating
her pups, relying on her mate to provide for her. The vixen doesn’t hesitate to move her pups from the den
to a safer environment if she feels threatened or is disturbed. The pups leave the den for the first time at
about 4 or 5 weeks old and are very playful. The young foxes reach sexual maturity at 10 months old and
can then live up to 12 years of age.
The Badger (Meles meles)
CHARACTERISTICS
The European Badger or Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) is a mammal
belonging to the Mustelidi family. It has the appearance of a smallish
dog, with a solid body and a well-developed muscular structure. The
badger has a long, tapered snout, white-tipped ears, a grey coat with a
black underside, and three distinct white stripes on its face that start at
the tip of the snout and extend towards the shoulders. The badger’s
foot print is characteristic of the animal, with a large, wide, central pad and a row of four smaller pads above
it (the badger actually has five toes, but the imprint of the fifth toe is not always visible), the imprint of the
animal’s front feet show traces of the long nails, which they use for digging.
RANGE AND HABITAT
The badger is widespread throughout Europe (excluding northern Scandinavia, Iceland, Corsica, Sardinia,
Sicily and Cyprus) and in parts of Asia from 15° north and 10° west to 135° east. In the Liguria region of
Italy, the badger regularly frequents groves of olive trees, where, amongst the tree roots, it makes the
entrance to its underground tunnel system or sett. The Badger lives mostly in woodlands, though it will
venture into more open areas providing there is adequate shelter.
BEHAVIOUR
Whilst walking, the badger plants its entire foot on the ground, thus creating rather distinct and detailed
prints. These prints are 5-7cm long, showing evidence of the five toes and nails. Although the badger
doesn’t hibernate during the winter months, it may, however, become torpid and noticeably reducing its
activity; it surfaces from the sett, sometimes after extended periods of inactivity, for occasional raids for
food, and therefore, it is not uncommon to find badger tracks on the snow. Badgers are territorial animals,
and they usually live in groups of 2-12 animals, known as clans; these clans each have a dominant boar
and a dominant sow with the other clan members closely related.
REPRODUCTION
The mating season for the badger usually takes place during the spring and summer, although coupling can
occur at anytime throughout the year as the sow undergoes embryonic diapause or more commonly called
‘delayed implantation’. Once implantation has occurred, the gestation period lasts 6-8 weeks after which a
litter of 2-4 cubs are born between January and March in a separate chamber of the sett. The cubs are born
covered with a fine, silky, grey fur and with their eyes and ears closed; their mother nurses them for 2-3
months. After 5 weeks the cub’s eyes and ears open and by 8 weeks they start to venture outside the
chamber, but they are not fully weaned and independent until 5-6 months old. The badger reaches sexual
maturity at 12 – 15 months of age.
THE SETT
The animal shelters in natural caves, cliff gorges, along manmade or natural embankments, or in
underground tunnels called setts, which they dig for themselves under the forest floor. These setts usually
have two or three entrances and contain numerous galleries and chambers, which are expanded by the
successive generations of badgers that inhabit them. There are numerous tracks to and from the sett; these
are well trodden, as the badgers tend to use the same routes regularly. They scent their setts, their territory
and themselves, so that each clan and sett has its own distinctive smell. In any one sett there can live a
solitary individual or a group; it is possible that part of the badgers sett becomes co-inhabited by foxes although in these cases each animal uses separate entrances and chambers within the sett. Badgers setts
are kept very clean and the animals dig latrines, not far from the sett, where they deposit their excrements.
The badger, being a nocturnal animal, spends most of the day asleep and only at dusk ventures out to
forage for food.
FEEDING HABITS
The badger is a nocturnal, opportunistic, omnivorous eater, and feeds on soft roots, bulbs, tubers and other
vegetable matter, which it digs up with its ungulate paws. It also eats small mammals, ground nesting birds,
small reptiles, carrion, frogs and even snakes (including the venomous viper to which the badger is
immune), but their staple diet is invertebrates such as worms.