About Badgers

Badgers are among Britain’s most mysterious animals. Many of us never see one in the wild, yet they live quietly in woodlands, fields and hedge-lined paths across the country. Winter is a wonderful time to learn more about these shy neighbours, even if we never meet them face to face.

Badgers do not hibernate. Instead, they take longer naps during the coldest spells, then venture out on milder nights to forage for earthworms, fruit, beetles and roots. Their thick winter coats and strong digging claws help them explore the quiet countryside with ease.

A badger’s home is called a sett — a network of underground chambers and tunnels, often used by generations of the same family. Setts are usually tucked into banks or woodland edges, with several well-worn paths leading in and out. These paths can stay visible even in winter frost.

Badgers are most active after dark, so people often spot signs of them rather than the animals themselves. These might include:

• snuffle holes in grass where a badger has searched for food
• well-worn paths along hedgerows
• smooth soil or footprints near a sett entrance
• larger droppings in latrine pits nearby

Discovering these clues on a winter walk can feel like uncovering a tiny countryside secret.

Badgers are gentle by nature and avoid people whenever possible. To keep everyone safe and calm:

• Keep dogs close during dusk and dawn walks
• Stay on marked paths near farmland or woodland
• Give any sett a wide, respectful space
• Enjoy watching from a distance if you’re lucky enough to see one

Badger setts are protected by law, so they must never be blocked, dug into or disturbed.

• A group of badgers is called a cete
• Badgers can run surprisingly fast (up to 20 mph in short bursts)
• They share their setts with family members of all ages
• Cubs are born in early spring and stay underground for the first few months
• Badgers have excellent memories for safe paths through woodland