Wild Wednesday – European badger
The earliest traces of badgers in Britain date back to three quarters to half a million years ago, which means they co-existed with wolves, brown bears, arctic foxes, and wolverines, all of which once roamed Britain.
Badgers are found across the UK, with the highest numbers in southern England, their habitat is a mixture of woodland and open country , but they can be found in our gardens, where as a rule they can live harmoniously with us humans and our pets.
The European badger (scientific name Meles meles) is an omnivore (eats both plant and animal matter). It has a big appetite, with a varied diet of earthworms, of which they can consume up to 200 a night, large insects, small mammals, carrion (decaying animals) grains and tubers (plants that grow underground).
This mammal can grow up to one metre in size, it has a wedge-shaped body, loose fitting skin, wide feet, long claws, and small black eyes. Their course hair can be black, brown, gold, or white, with iconic black and white stripes on its face. It belongs to the caniform suborder of carnivoran mammals, which means ‘dog-like.’
They live underground in a ‘sett’ which consists of tunnels and chambers, which can be linked and will usually have one or more entrances. This is their shelter, used for breeding and protection. L arger setts can extend from 20 to 100 metres, with some of the largest having more than 50 entrances. These large, elaborate setts can be 100 years old and are passed down through generations.
They usually live in a group of about six but have been known to live in a group of up to 23 adults. They are territorial and defend an area around their main sett and to mark this territory, they leave a scent – the d ominant male’s scent-mark most, and lactating females more than other females.
A litter of up to five cubs are usually born early to mid-February and will emerge above ground at around 12 weeks. At 16 weeks, the cubs will start to display adult social behaviours, which includes scent marking and grooming.
Badgers are usually wary of humans. In most cases, a badgers' first reaction to danger is to escape into the nearest sett. However, if they are cornered, they can become aggressive.
Badger activity increases at the start of the main mating season, resulting in increased road casualties in late winter/early spring. During the summer months, activity is around the setts and the feeding areas and travelling between locations. If you come across an injured badger, you should avoid physical contact and call an expert (either your local badger group, wildlife rescue or the RSPCA.
European badgers are not an endangered species, but they are amongst the most legally protected wild animals in the UK, shielded under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats.
You could be sent to prison for up to 6 months and get an unlimited fine if you're found guilty of intentional capture, kill, or injure a badger. damage, destroy or block access to their setts.
Read more here:
Badgers | The Wildlife Trusts