European badger (Meles meles), artwork. This relatively large mammal, found in most areas of mainland Europe, is related to the much smaller weasels, stoats and otters. Unlike its smaller relatives, it is omnivorous rather than carnivorous, eating mainly worms, as well as insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, fruit, roots and nuts. Reaching a body length of around 70 centimetres, it has characteristic black and white stripes on its face.