About Meles anakuma Temminck, 1844
On average, male Japanese badgers measure 79 cm (31 in) in length, while females measure an average of 72 cm (28 in). Overall, the species is generally smaller and shows less sexual dimorphism than European badgers, with the only exception being canine tooth size. Their tails range from 14 to 20 cm (5.5 to 7.9 in) in length. Japanese badgers are similar in size to, or slightly larger than, Asian badgers. Adult Japanese badgers typically weigh between 3.8 and 11 kg (8.4 to 24.3 lb). One study conducted in the Tokyo area found that females had an average weight of 6.6 kg (15 lb), and males had an average weight of 7.76 kg (17.1 lb). In Yamaguchi Prefecture, the average spring weight of females was 4.4 kg (9.7 lb), while the average spring weight of males was 5.7 kg (13 lb). The species has a blunt torso and short limbs. The front feet bear strong digging claws, and the claws on the hind feet are smaller. Its outer coat consists of long gray-brown hair, while the ventral hair is short and black. Its face has distinctive black-and-white stripes that are less distinct than those of European badgers, with dark coloring concentrated around the eyes. Its skull is smaller than that of the European badger.
