Badger

Simon King visits the Forest of Dean to look at badger behaviour in autumn.

The badgers of Woodchester Mansion (also in Gloucestershire) feature too, as their clan ranges are tracked using plastic discs to identify their poo.

More about the species

Everyone recognises the badger, with its dark grey barrel-shaped body and black and white striped face.

Badgers tend to live in social groups of one or two families in underground chambers and passages called setts, which they keep extremely clean and tidy. Setts can sometimes be occupied for hundreds of years.

They are mostly nocturnal animals, and therefore rarely seen, coming out at night to follow their regular paths between their feeding grounds and their territory, occasionally passing through a garden or two.

Contrary to popular belief, badgers do not hibernate in winter, although they do store up fat reserves to help them through the harsh weather; and in colder climates they may become torpid for a few days at a time.

Badgers are omnivorous, foraging for everything from worms and insects to frogs and small mammals as well as plant material.

Even though the UK has a large population, badgers and their setts are fully protected by law under the Badgers Act of 1992 because of previous persecution and baiting.

Badgers live in social groups known as clans, comprising several adults and their young led by a dominant pair. Badger clans occupy home ranges that vary in size according to food availability. Clans will defend their home territories against other clans patroling and defacating at the territory perimeters.

How to help

Drive along country lanes at night with care, as badgers are an all too common roadside casualty.

The locations of badger setts are kept secret to avoid hunting and baiting but you could join a local badger group or find out if your local wildlife trust organises badger watches.

There is practical advice on living with badgers from the Badger Trust.

If you find a badger that appears to need help, please check Tiggywinkles' guide to badger emergencies to see if and how you should intervene.

Badgers can be very dangerous animals and should only be handled by experienced personnel. Please be aware of this and seek expert help from wildlife centre staff if you find a badger in need of assistance.