BadgersBadgers

Senior ClassesSenior Classes

Scoil Naomh CaitríonaScoil Naomh Caitríona

BadgersBadgers

Badgers are closely related to:Badgers are closely related to: OttersOtters StoatsStoats Pine martensPine martens Weasels Weasels Polecats Polecats

HabitsHabits

Badgers are largely nocturnal animals.Badgers are largely nocturnal animals. They are shy and retiring.They are shy and retiring. They live in family groups and social groups.They live in family groups and social groups.

FootprintsFootprints

Badger prints are broader than they Badger prints are broader than they are long with five toes and five long, are long with five toes and five long, non-retractable powerful claws that non-retractable powerful claws that they use for digging.they use for digging.

HomeHome A badger's home is called a A badger's home is called a sett.sett. The The

sett is an underground home, often sett is an underground home, often with a labyrinth of tunnels involving with a labyrinth of tunnels involving the excavation of tons of earth.the excavation of tons of earth.

The sense of smell is the most The sense of smell is the most important of the badgers senses. important of the badgers senses. Badgers forage for food with their Badgers forage for food with their snouts constantly sniffing the ground snouts constantly sniffing the ground ahead of them.ahead of them.

Life cycleLife cycle

An adult can grow up to 95cm long and An adult can grow up to 95cm long and usually weighs from 10 to 14 kg.usually weighs from 10 to 14 kg.

Badger cubs are born in February.Badger cubs are born in February. The number of cubs is usually between one The number of cubs is usually between one

and three.and three. Cubs emerge in May, after spending the first Cubs emerge in May, after spending the first

8 – 10 weeks underground.8 – 10 weeks underground.

EnemiesEnemies The main enemy of the badger is mankind.The main enemy of the badger is mankind. People try to trap badgers and put them in fights People try to trap badgers and put them in fights

against dogs.against dogs. This is illegal, and police and volunteers are This is illegal, and police and volunteers are

always on the lookout for the culprits.always on the lookout for the culprits.

Popular CulturePopular Culture

The old name for badger is brock, in English, broc in The old name for badger is brock, in English, broc in Irish.Irish.

Many badgers feature in the Redwall series of books Many badgers feature in the Redwall series of books by Brian Jacques.by Brian Jacques.

Other stories featuring badgers are: The Wind in the Other stories featuring badgers are: The Wind in the Willows, Farthing Wood, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Willows, Farthing Wood, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Chronicles of Narnia.Chronicles of Narnia.

The House of Hufflepuff (H. Potter) is symbolised by The House of Hufflepuff (H. Potter) is symbolised by a badger.a badger.

The badger is the state animal of Wisconsin.The badger is the state animal of Wisconsin.