ANIMAL FACTS
BADGER
ALL ABOUT BADGERS
Scientific name: Meles meles
Darin Smith
Badgers are members of the same family as stoats
and weasels, the mustelids. They eat both plants and
animals, but mainly feed on earthworms and
leatherjackets (the larvae of daddy long legs).
Badgers are commonly found in the open
countryside, but are also to be found on the edges of
towns and cities in parks and even cemeteries. They
are very distinctive in appearance but, being
nocturnal, are not often seen. Sadly, many are seen
only when they become road casualties.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Badgers are easy to identify. They have a greyish
body, dark haired legs and underparts, and a white
head with a dark stripe over the eye on both sides.
An average adult badger is 69-71cm long and weighs
18kg, making it one of the larger wild animals in
Britain today.
Darin Smith
WHEN & WHERE TO SEE
Badgers are scattered around Great Britain,
mostly in the south and south-western counties of
England and Wales, but are also found in
Nottinghamshire. The reason for their success is their
amazing adaptability to different habitats such as
woods, copses, hedgerows, quarries, sea cliffs and
moorland. They live in setts which are a series of
tunnels and miniature caves dug underground.
They use debris such as grass and leaves as
bedding.
Occasionally they will make setts on the
embankments of canals, railways and roads, mines,
rubbish dumps, coal tips, in gardens and under roads
and buildings. Although difficult to find above ground,
they can be seen foraging at night and are easiest to
spot close to their setts.
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Badgers have strong limbs and
sharp clawed feet. These, together
with their small head, short neck and
long, wedge shaped body makes
them excellent diggers.
Although badgers mainly eat
earthworms, they will eat other
invertebrates, including slugs and
snails. Badgers often also eat
small mammals, birds’ eggs and
fruit.
Despite being nocturnal, badgers
have poor eyesight. However, this is
compensated for by their acute hearing
and excellent sense of smell.
Badgers give birth to between 1 and 5 cubs between
January to March. The birth usually takes place in the
underground chambers, where the cubs will remain until they are about 8 weeks old.
Over centuries, badgers have been regarded by farmers as pests and many attempts
have been made to eradicate or control them. However, the Badgers Act 1973,
amended by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and replaced again by the Badgers
Act 1992, means that badgers and their setts are now fully protected by law.
Both cattle and badgers can contract bovine tuberculosis and there has been much
debate in recent years over whether the culling (reducing numbers) of badgers will
decrease the rate of bovine TB in cattle. The Wildlife Trusts are fully aware that TB in
cattle is a significant problem for farming in the UK and that urgent action is required to
combat the disease. We believe that action to address bovine TB should be based on
clear scientific evidence that can be effectively applied in practice. For an up to date
statement go to The Wildlife Trusts website: www.wildlifetrusts.org
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
We are Nottinghamshire’s largest environmental charity.
We care for more than 70 nature reserves around the county,
working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone.
Alongside 47 other UK Wildlife Trusts, we stand up to protect local wildlife
and habitats. For further information please visit our website:
www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org
Address: The Old Ragged School, Brook St, Nottingham, NG1 1EA.
Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0115 958 8242
Charity no. 224168R. Registered in England, no.748865.
Darin Smith
DID YOU KNOW?