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Image: Eurasian badger (Meles meles) - forefoot.
A characteristic shared by all of the badgers is their fondness for digging. They are certainly well-equipped for this task! The forepaw of the European badger, for example (shown here), is very broad and armed with 5 long claws, ideal for scratching up earth and clawing at any rocks which might get in the way.
The American badger also has very long claws on its forepaws. The longest claws of all however are owned by the hog badger of south-east Asia; this species has claws which are around twice the length of the European badger's toenails!
Badgers may also use their claws for scratching when parasites begin to itch, for defence when under attack, or for raking up bedding material to line their underground bedchambers.
© Steve Jackson.
(Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.)
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