Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

The aim of the study was to examine the major biometric of the badger (Meles meles), depending on the sex and age in a selected hunting territory in the region of Piotrków. In total 29 skulls and 23 carcasses of badgers were measured. For characterising the basic dimensions of the body size were used: body length, height at withers, body circumference, and weight of the whole body. Standard cranial measurements were taken for 6 parameters on each skull: length of the profile of the skull, the maximum width of the skull, braincase width, the width of the mouth of the rear nostrils, the height of the braincase and the height of the mandibular branch. As a result sexual dimorphism was detected. Statistically significant difference for distinguishing sexual dimorphism was confirmed for the following parameters: body length, height at withers, and body circumference. The annual cycle of seasonal changes in body weight of badgers showed that weight gain depends on the weather.