Defecation and urination patterns of badgers Meles meles at low density in South West England

The spatial distribution of urine and faecal scent marks of badgers Meles meles (Linnaeus, 1758) at low population density (mean ± SE across 4 social groups was 5.73 ± 0.735 badgers/km2) in south-western England were quantified. Eighteen badger latrines (greater than one dung pit containing faeces), 74 single defecations not in pits and 21 faeces in single pits were located in spring when badgers were defending well-defined territories. Woodland was selected, and arable land avoided, for latrine sites. Pasture and built-up land was selected for single defecations not in pits whereas faeces in single pits were distributed randomly across habitat types. Faecal scent marks were strongly associated with the edge of pastoral fields rather than the middle. Forty-six and 51 urinations were located in spring and summer, respectively. Urine was deposited randomly across habitat types but was concentrated at the linear features surrounding the main setts. This is the first reported use of high levels of single defecations and urinations in badger scent marking strategies in the UK. These results are discussed in relation to the potential for transmission of bovine tuberculosis Mycobacterium bovis from badger excreta to cattle.