Asian badger
Introduction The '''Asian badger''' ('''''Meles leucurus'''''), also known as the '''sand badger''', is a species of badger native to Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Korean Peninsula and Russia.
Characteristics Stuffed specimenThe Asian badger is mostly lighter in colour than the European badger, though some forms may closely approach the former in colour, if not darker, with smudges of ocherous and brownish highlights. The flanks are lighter than the middle of the back, and the facial stripes are usually brown rather than black. The facial stripes narrow behind the eyes and extend above the ears. The white parts of the head are usually dirtier in colour than those of the European badger. The light stripe passing along the top of the head between the two stripes is relatively short and narrow. The Asian badger is generally smaller than the European badger and has relatively longer upper molars. It appears to be the smallest of the three ''Meles'' badgers despite regional size variations, with the largest-bodied populations in Siberia. Body mass typically ranges from  and length from . The average weight of three adult males from Sobaeksan National Park was .Comparative illustration of European badger (top), Asian badger (centre) and Japanese badger (bottom)
Taxonomy Five subspecies are recognized.SubspeciesTrinomial authorityDescriptionRangeSynonyms'''Common sand badger''' ''Meles leucurus leucurus''Hodgson, 1847'''Amur badger''' ''Meles leucurus amurensis''Schrenck, 1859The darkest coloured and smallest subspecies. The facial stripes extend above the ears, and are black or blackish-brown in colour. The entire area between the stripes and cheeks are dirty-greyish brown, as opposed to white. The colour can be so dark, that the stripes are almost indistinguishable. The back is greyish-brown with silver highlights. The pelage itself is soft, but is lacking in wool. The skull is small, smooth and has weakly developed projections. It lacks first premolars. Body length is .Ussuri, Priamurye, Greater Khingan and Korean Peninsula''melanogenys'' (J. A. Allen, 1913), ''schrenkii'' (Nehring, 1891)'''Kazakh badger''' ''Meles leucurus arenarius''Satunin, 1895A moderately sized subspecies, being intermediate in size between ''Meles meles meles'' and ''M. m. canascens''. Its colour is lighter and paler than its northern cousins, with less prominent facial stripes. Its pelage is coarse and bristly, and has scarce underfur. Boars grow to  in body length, while sows grow to . Boars weigh  in March–May, and  in March–June.Southeastern Volga, most of Kazakhstan (excepting the northern and montane parts), the Middle Asian plains (excepting the regions occupied by ''Meles m. canascens'' and ''Meles m. severzovi'')'''Siberian badger''' ''Meles leucurus sibiricus''Kastschenko, 1900A moderately sized subspecies, being intermediate in size between ''Meles meles meles'' and ''M. m. canascens''. The general colour tone of the back is light grey, usually with yellowish or straw coloured highlights. The facial stripes are brownish-black to tawny black. The pelage is long and soft with a dense undercoat. Boars grow to  in body length, while sows grow to . Boars weigh .Siberia, including Transbaikalia and Altai, northern Kazakhstan and probably the eastern Volga '''Tian Shan badger''' ''Meles leucurus tianschanensis''Hoyningen-Huene, 1910A moderately sized subspecies, with a somewhat darker pelt than ''M. l. arenarius'' and a less developed yellow sheen. The fur is longer, denser and fluffier. Northern Tian Shan''talassicus'' (Ognev, 1931)
Distribution and habitat Asian badgers have a large range including the southern portion of Russia east of the Urals, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and Korea. The species can be found within areas of high elevation (perhaps up to ) in the Ural Mountains, the Tian Shan mountains, and the Tibetan Plateau. The ranges of Asian and European badgers are separated in places by the Volga River. Asian badgers prefer open deciduous woodland and adjacent pastureland, but also inhabit coniferous and mixed woodlands, scrub and steppe. They are sometimes found in suburban areas.
Threats Asian badgers are legally hunted in China, Russia and Mongolia, as well as illegally within protected areas in China. Russia's established badger hunting season usually takes place from August to November.In Mongolian traditional medicine, balm made from badger fat oil is used as a remedy for variety of ailments and diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchitis, stomach ulcer, inflammatory diseases of the kidney, intestinal diseases and colds.
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