Den site selection of the European badger, Meles meles and the red fox, Vulpes vulpes in Hungary

The European badger (Meles meles) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) are the two most common mesocarnivores in Hungary. The populations of both species are increasing. The badger has settled in various habitats in the last two decades, while the red fox can often be seen in urban habitats. Due to their wide tolerance of environmental conditions wildlife managers and conservation experts realized that both species have an important (predatory) role in many ecosystems. During the course of our research we examined the preferred locations of the den sites of the European badger and the red fox on the basis of set locations for both species in various areas across Hungary (badger: n = 142, fox: n = 113). Our aim was to find out whether there is a connection between these species' habitat selection on a small scale (locally) and on a large scale (at countrywide level). Field data were collected in four hilly areas and four lowland areas in Hungary. Badgers preferred deciduous and coniferous forests, and rarely used open areas, whereas foxes did not seem to use either coniferous forests or open areas. In the case of both species the preferred locations of the den sites were sharply demarcated in coniferous forests.