Badger - Meles meles - Family: Mustelidae

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Badger - Meles meles
© Paul Keene (Avico Ltd)

The black and white striped face of the badger is very familiar, although badgers are, alas, most often seen as road casualties. They are nocturnal and live underground in a communal burrow or 'sett'. Badgers prefer soils that are light and easy to dig, especially on woodland banks, but also in the open, especially on chalk downland. Cubs are born from January to May and stay below ground until they are 6-8 weeks old.

Despite their short legs, adapted for tunnelling, badgers can move surprisingly rapidly. As they have poor eyesight, they tend to follow the same routes around their territory which they identify using their acute sense of smell. Their search for earthworms can make them a frequent garden visitor, though they rarely take up residence. In early autumn, September cranefly larvae (leatherjackets) are a particular favourite, and hunting for these can cause damage to lawns. They are also very partial to peanuts and sweet things, and can be persuaded to return if regularly fed. The badger is a legally protected species: if you object to having them in your garden, seek advice from the Rural Development Service, your local badger group or the RSPCA.

Food

Omnivorous. The favourite food is earthworms but badgers will also take insects, snails, fruit, human scraps and even small mammals and garden birds. They are one of the few predators which can cope with hedgehogs.

Plants

Apple, Crab apple, Elder, Sweet chestnut, Wild cherry

Prey

Brown chafer, Buff-tailed bumble bee, Common carder bumble bee, Common earthworm, Dormouse, Hedgehog, Honey bee, Rabbit, Red-tailed bumble bee, September cranefly, Slow-worm, Slugs and snails, White-tailed bumble bee, Wood mouse, Worms, Yellow-necked mouse