A Walk on the Wild Side...

Much of the wildlife of Great Britain - if not totally unknown in North America - is at least, not as common as it is in Europe.  There will be more posts of this nature to come, but for now, here are three of the creatures one might come across back home.

Badger
NOT a honey badger, but a simple European badger (Meles meles).  A large powerful carnivore, the badger is nocturnal.  Generally keeping to themselves, badgers can be pretty mean when provoked.  Still, it is an extremely beautiful looking mammal.

 

 Badger 25-07-09 by Chris_Parfitt is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

Hedgehog
Another largely nocturnal creature, the hedgehog is often seen scuttling across the roads after dark.  Their spines are not venomous, and unlike the porcupine, the spines are not easily removed from their bodies.  Hedgehogs are class as insectivores, but actually have a wide-ranging diet.

Hedgehog by Daniel Wehner is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Pipistrelle

The most common bat in the British Isles, the pipistrelle is also the smallest found in Europe.  It has a wingspan of less than 10 inches.

 Ken by Stevie-B is licensed under CC BY 2.0