Badger habitat
Badgers live in sets, which are underground burrows. They live in groups of 4 to 12. Their territory can be 30 to 150 hectares, depending on food availability. Badgers mostly communicate through scent, marking other badgers and paths in their area.
Badger breeding
Badgers, called 'boars' (males) and 'sows' (females), mature at just over a year old. They mate in spring, with births usually in February. Embryos take 9 months to implant, but only develop for 7 weeks in the womb. Litters typically have 2 or 3 cubs, but can range from 1 to 4. Less than half of cubs survive to adulthood.
Badger diet
Badgers are omnivorous. Their main food is earthworms, but they also eat beetles, birds, young rabbits, rodents, reptiles, and amphibians. They feed on bee and wasp larvae, fruits, fungi, cereals, nuts, seeds, and berries too.
Identifying badgers
Badgers are known for their black and white striped heads. Their silver-grey body hair makes them hard to see, especially in dim light. They make sounds ranging from whinnying to growling and barking. Signs of badgers include worn paths, footprints, claw marks, dung pits, mounds of earth near set entrances, bedding material, and badger hair.
Legal status of badgers
The Protection of Badgers Act (1992) protects badgers. It's illegal to harm them, their sets, or to disturb them without a licence. However, some exemptions apply. For more details, contact the Wildlife Trust or RSPCA.
Using chemical deterrents
Chemical deterrents are available to deter animals. They are sold in garden centres and agricultural suppliers in liquid or aerosol form. These have a strong smell, need careful handling, and must be used as directed by the manufacturer. They can be effective but may cause badgers to find new entry points. Inform neighbours before using these due to the strong smell.
