Diet of the European badger (Meles meles) in the Republic of Ireland: A comparison of results from an analysis of stomach contents and rectal faeces

The diets of mammals have been investigated primarily through the analysis of faecal samples. In our study we analysed both stomach contents, and rectal faeces from European badgers. This approach enabled a direct comparison of the information derived from these two sources. The dietary components found from each source were the same. However, it was found that, compared to stomach contents, the contribution to the diet, by volume, of plant litter, earthworms, Tipulid larvae and adult Carabid beetles were significantly overestimated by faecal analysis, while those of Noctuid larvae and Carabid beetle larvae were significantly underestimated. The analysis of stomach contents showed clear evidence of seasonality in the consumption of earthworms, Carabid beetle larvae, Tipulid larvae and Noctuid larvae. This seasonality was not as evident when the diet was inferred by the analysis of faeces. We propose that an analysis of stomach contents rather than of faeces, more accurately reflects the relative proportions of ingested food types, and the seasonality of the diet.