Species Information
Head and body length 65-80 cm. Also called the Eurasian Badger, this is the UK’s largest terrestrial predator. It is a powerful creature with a thickset body and strong legs and claws well suited for digging and burrowing into the earth. The body is covered in silver-grey fur which can vary in colour, and may appear brownish during the summer months. It has a large black-and-white-striped head with white-tipped ears, and very short legs and black feet, which can climb to a limited extent.
Badgers live in setts which are constructed by burrowing into the earth. Setts are made up of tunnels and chambers which can be at several levels in which they hide in during the day. Females usually give birth in February after mating the previous spring, and they may have up to 5 cubs. As omnivores, they mainly feed on earthworms and large insects, cereals, fruit, and occasionally small animals such as hedgehogs and rodents. Its jaws are powerful enough to crush most bones, and the badger is one of the few predators to be able to kill and eat hedgehogs. They are aso known to raid bees nests to feast on their honey. Badgers will also forage urban and suburban gardens for food, taking leftover dog and cat food left outside, and also seeds, nuts, bread, suet and other foodstuff left out for birds. Lifespan up to 16 years.
Although badgers are seen all year round, during the winter they are less active. Found in deciduous woodland, fields and pastures, and in urban habitats such as gardens and parks. They emerge from their setts during dusk and use the shelter of night to hunt and search for food. Common and widespread throughout Britain, but are scarcer in Scotland. Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
Meles is from Latin meaning “badger”. Another early name for badger was ‘brock’ from Old English, which means ‘to construct’, making a reference to the badgers building of underground setts.
Classification
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Mammalia (Mammals)
Carnivora (Carnivores)
Mustelidae (Badgers, Weasels & Relatives)
Meles
Meles meles (Linnaeus, 1758)
Photographs
My encounters with this badger where some of the most enjoyable and memorable moments of my life. These encounters took place in my back garden between the years July 2012 and March 2014. If you wish to read in more details about my experience please visit The Badger Diary
All photographs copyright © Peter Hillman
Please see the ‘about‘ page for details on use of images
Nature Journeys 