Badger
Meles meles
Broc
What group of mammals does the badger belong to?
Like the stoat, mink and otter, the badger is a member of the mustelid family. However, it is very different in shape from the others, being heavy, powerful and stocky. The badger is mostly grey, with a black-and-white striped head. It has five powerful claws on each foot, and very strong jaws. Males (boars) weigh up to 17kg, females (sows) up to 12kg.
Are badgers common in Ireland?
They are very common and widespread. Their preferred habitat is woodland, but since Ireland has few woodlands overall, over half of Ireland’s badgers live in hedgerows. In Co. Wicklow, badgers will even live high in the mountains. Most people rarely see a live badger; this is because they are strictly nocturnal.
Are badgers native to Ireland?
It is very likely that they are native ; the earliest badger bones yet found date back to 5,000 years ago.
Where do badgers live?
Badgers live socially in a tunnel system called a sett, which they dig out with their powerful claws. Setts are dug wherever there is enough cover, and the soil is suitable for digging. One sett is home to a family group of up to 20 animals, although 5 or 6 is more common. One sett may be used by several generations of badgers. Badgers are very tidy, and regularly change the grass they use for bedding. They also have a separate toilet or ‘latrine’ site outside the sett. Sometimes other animals such as foxes will move into a badger sett, but foxes are much messier than
badgers.
How big is a sett?
The biggest sett recorded in Ireland had over 260 metres of tunnels, and 25 sleeping chambers! Usually they are smaller, especially high in the mountains. But all setts have several entrances, so that badgers can leave and enter without being seen.
Are badgers territorial?
Although badgers are social animals, each sett will defend a territory, which the badgers mark out with scent glands and latrine sites. The territory may be from 60-200 hectares in area, and shared by 2-25 badgers.
What do badgers like to eat?
The badger is a scavenger, and will eat whatever food is available: small animals such as frogs, mice & hedgehogs; carrion, fruit, cereals & berries in autumn; slugs, beetles and insect larvae; and especially earthworms, which may make up to 50% of their food at one time. You can often find ‘snuffle holes’ in the grass where badgers have been digging for worms. They will also take human food from bins, which is why we’ve had to put special heavy lids on them here in Glendalough - our food is not good for badgers.
What kills badgers?
Adult badgers do not have any predators as such, though a fox may take cubs. However, large numbers are killed by cars on the roads at night. Because badgers use the same paths over generations, many are killed at the same spot over time. Also, badgers have been blamed for spreading the TB disease in cattle, and badgers have been culled in some areas because of this, although it is unclear yet how much damage badgers actually cause, if any.
Do badgers hibernate?
No., although in winter they save energy by being less active and going into semi-torpor, slowing down their natural heart and breathing rates.
Do badgers make noises?
Badgers are very vocal, making a number of purring, growling, snuffling and screaming sounds. Hearing and scent are more important than sight to a badger.
When are baby badgers born?
Mating takes place in April-May, and pregnancy is delayed until December. The cubs are born in February and March, with 1-5 cubs per litter. The cubs are born blind, and are usually fed milk for about 3 months.
Are badgers likely to attack humans?
Badgers have a reputation for being vicious, but this is unfounded. Like any animal they will defend themselves when in danger (such as when dogs are sent into their setts to drive the badgers out), but overall badgers are shy, retiring animals that go out of their way to avoid humans.
Are badgers protected?
Yes, badgers are protected under the Wildlife Act, though as mentioned earlier, a number have been culled in efforts to halt the spread of TB in cattle.