Barsuki

Barsuki (plural of Barsuk) is a word of Slavic origin, most commonly used in Belarusian and Russian, that translates to "badgers." It refers to the badger, a short-legged omnivore in the family Mustelidae, which also includes weasels, otters, and ferrets.

The term can refer to several badger species, depending on the geographical context. In most of Eurasia, "Barsuk" specifically indicates the Eurasian badger ( Meles meles ). However, the word can also be used more generically to refer to other badger species found globally.

Beyond the zoological definition, the word "Barsuki" can also appear in place names, surnames, and occasionally in folklore or literary contexts within Slavic-speaking regions. The presence of badgers in an area often leads to the use of "Barsuk" or "Barsuki" in local toponymy.