Factors affecting territory size and group composition in a social carnivore

Abstract The order Carnivora is dominated by solitary predatory species, yet sociality exists across about 10–15% of species within the order. The European Badger ( Meles meles ) is a medium sized carnivore that exhibits broad plasticity in its tendency to form social groups. Across its range, populations may exist as individuals, pairs, families and multi-generational groups. The rationale for group living among species of this order has been the subject of much study. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain group living in the species including the role of drivers such as territory defence and resource availability. However very little attention has been paid to the fact that many of these putative drivers of sociality are not independent of one another. Using data from a long-term study in the south-west of England we have shown how the direct and indirect drivers impact the environment in which a badger resides. The strength of individual drivers on territory and group size is mediated through interactions with other variables. Both environmental and demographic variables such as, habitat, weather and number of animals in neighbouring territories are shown to have an important influence and their effects can be across multiple scales. Further investigation of these complex indirect pathways will help to improve our understanding of group living in this species.