Badgers belong to a fur-bearing carnivore mammal group called mustelids. The others resident in England include weasels, stoats, otters, pine martens and mink (not-native, they were first wild due to escaping from being trapped for the fur industry – learn more on how to save endangered water voles.
Don’t encourage badgers to your garden with food. It takes them away from native areas and encourages them to come into contact with people who don’t like them and dogs. And means they come to rely on you, dangerous if you got ill, moved away or died. If you find an injured badger, contact your local wildlife rescue.
Nocturnal badgers are part of England’s landscape, so-called ‘nature’s gardeners’ who (aside from the awful cull) are protected, so you can never disturb their elaborate underground setts.
Badgers live in groups called clans, which usually consist of a few adults and their young. These clans inhabit underground burrows known as setts, which they dig themselves. These are networks of tunnels and chambers, often used for generations and passed down, like family heirlooms.
Within the clan, badgers are social and cooperative. They groom each other, share foraging duties, and even help care for cubs. Cubs are usually born in January or February but stay underground for their first months of life. Family bonds within a clan are strong, and they work together to survive.
Badgers are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their favourite meal? Earthworms. A single badger can eat hundreds of worms in one night! They also snack on insects, small mammals, fruits, and nuts.
Foraging takes place at night, as badgers are nocturnal. With their keen sense of smell, they’re excellent at sniffing out food, whether it’s beneath the soil or in a hedgerow. Their role as natural “gardeners” is important—they spread seeds while foraging, which helps new plants grow.
Current Threats to Badgers
Urban expansion and farming have reduced the natural habitats where badgers once thrived. Hedgerows, woodlands, and grasslands are disappearing to make way for roads, houses, and fields. Without these spaces, badgers struggle to find suitable setts or enough food to eat.
Even when their habitats aren’t destroyed entirely, they often become fragmented. This means badgers must travel further and across dangerous areas to meet their needs.
Roads are one of the biggest threats to badgers. These animals often have to cross roads in search of food or mates, especially during spring and autumn. Tragically, thousands are killed by vehicles every year.
Each year, thousands of badgers are killed on roads. In fact, recent estimates indicate that about 40% of badger deaths are due to road traffic accidents. This alarming statistic highlights the need for action to make our roads safer for these animals. Read of ways to make our roads safer for wildlife.
Young badgers are particularly at risk. Without the experience of older clan members, they’re less cautious and more likely to wander into danger.
Badgers Culls are Bad Science (and cruel)
Badgers have suffered greatly in recent years due to bad science and biased politics, meaning thousands have been culled, due to the false belief they are responsible for cattle TB (an awful disease for both cows and farmers). The truth is more complicated.
All experts say cattle-to-cattle transmission and modern farming methods are the main cause, and solving these (along with badger vaccination that is kinder, quicker and cheaper) is key. Homeopathy at Wellie Level is run by qualified homeopaths, and offers courses to help prevent many diseases in cattle and other barnyard friends.
How We Can All Help Badgers
Here is clothing you can buy, with profits helping small badger welfare charities like this orange badger t-shirt. The tote bag helps show your love for badgers, while replacing plastic bags. Made from organic cotton, it’s ideal for your grocery shop or just walking around town. Proceeds help to support the conservation and protection of all native wildlife.
Creating wildlife corridors—safe paths that allow animals to travel between different habitats—can significantly help badgers. These greenways provide a safe way for badgers to find food, mates, and new territories without facing dangers like traffic or habitat destruction. By connecting various green spaces, we can help ensure badgers and other wildlife thrive.
Badgers currently receive some legal protection through the Badgers Act 1992, which makes it illegal to harm them or disturb their setts. However, more comprehensive legislation is needed to strengthen their protection. Advocating for enhanced legal measures can create a safer environment for badgers. Every citizen can play a role in urging local governments to implement stronger protections.
A Beautiful Book about Badgers
Badger (encounters in the wild) is a book by Scotland’s renowned nature writer, who with passion and vision, relives memorable encounters with one of our best-loved creatures, offering intimate insights into their extraordinary lives.
Suddenly the boar’s face was back, peering up from almost ground level beneath the lowest sweep of the spruce branches. Almost at once, the sow was right beside him. Then came the cubs. For perhaps ten seconds (no more), all four faces gleamed garishly out of the forest at me. In all my badger encounters, nothing has charmed me so utterly as those ten seconds.
