An insight into badger behaviour
18th June 2019
What are the features of a badger?
Badgers are relatively small mammals, but are easily recognisable with their distinct black and white striped pattern head. They are nocturnal animals, meaning that they are most active at night, so will rarely be seen throughout the day.
A badger has an excellent sense of smell. They will use their powerful scent glands in order to send messages to the rest of the group. Badgers can give off scents to symbolise many things, for example, mating status and warning signals.
How do badgers live?
Badgers have extremely sharp claws and strong paws which aid them to dig in the ground. These black and white beauties will dig long tunnels in the ground in order to live and raise their young. This is called a badger’s sett. A badger’s sett will be made up of many tunnels and chambers and can be spread across many meters of land.
Within their underground sett, UK badgers will live in groups of between four and eight. These groups are known as a cete or clan. As well as living in a group, badgers are also independent animals. They will venture off on their own in search of food and tend not to stay as a group when foraging.
What do badgers eat?
As a species, most badgers are omnivores, which means they feed on both meat and plants. If you are attempting to attract badgers into your garden, the WildThings Badger & Fox Food is a great complementary food for a badger’s diet and, when fed regularly, can encourage badgers to visit your garden.
When can I expect see baby badgers?
Badgers typically give birth only once a year. This happens around mid to late winter (January-March). One to five baby badgers, also known as cubs, can be born in one litter.
