Exploring the Fascinating World of Badgers: 8 Incredible Facts

There are 11 extant species of badgers spread across the globe. The two primary badger species are American badgers, feisty mammals found throughout North America from Canada to Mexico, and the less aggressive European badger, found throughout Europe and parts of Asia. Badgers resemble skunks, though they are significantly larger. Continue reading to discover more incredible facts about badgers.

1. European Badgers live together in a network of burrows.

European Badgers are social animals that live in family groups. Each group builds a series of tunnels (called setts) with dens scattered throughout. A badger village appears above ground as a series of holes covered with piles of leaves and hay. The community has a scratching pole for badgers’ claws, which is used to mark their territory as well as for grooming and communicating with members of their clan. They even designate a specific area as the bathroom, known as a dung pit.

2. European Badgers share their burrows with many different animals.

Badgers are the contractors, builders, and landlords of their complex burrow homes. A research group in Italy studied the burrows of 24 different badger families. Without disturbing the animals, they used camera-trapping to see who moved in. During the three-year study, researchers discovered that the badgers allowed eight different species to live in the burrows they built! The animals included crested porcupine, Eastern cottontail, red fox, pine marten, stone marten, wood mouse, brown rat, and coypu (swamp rat). The eastern cottontails had a long-term lease and moved in permanently. This creates an amazing underground community.

3. Badgers take a long winter nap, but do not hibernate.

Badgers put on added weight in the fall in preparation for the winter months. They do not hibernate, but they will sleep for long periods to conserve energy. They live off the body fat that they accumulate in the autumn.

4. National Badger Day is October 6

There is a special holiday dedicated to raising awareness about badgers. Wildlife experts encourage people to learn more about badgers and be aware of their important role in the ecosystem. The extensive underground burrow systems they create provide dens for a wide range of other animals. They also spread seeds across a large area, helping a variety of plants. In the United Kingdom, which is home to approximately one-quarter of the world’s European badger population, the Badger Trust is creating awareness about alternatives to badger culling, a practice in which badgers are killed to stop the transmission of tuberculosis to livestock. The Trust has a short video all about the beloved European badger.

5. One species of badger is endangered.

With a habitat that is only 1,600 sq. miles, it is understandable why the Bornean ferret-badger is endangered. It can only be found in the Northern part of the island of Borneo. If you saw one of these, you would not think they are relatives of the aggressive American badger. They resemble ferrets more than they do badgers. They are much smaller and have long, fuzzy tails. Bornean ferret badgers have long claws for digging. The main threats to this species are climate change and habitat destruction.

6. Badger vs. Wiener Dog?

Wiener dogs (or Dachshunds) were bred in Germany to hunt down badgers. Their name means badger (dachs) hound (hund) in German. Because of their long, skinny build, they were able to chase badgers into their burrows. Border terriers are another dog breed that was originally bred to hunt foxes and badgers. The shepherds and farmers on the Scottish-English border were looking for ways to deal with foxes and other mammals that preyed on their livestock. Border terriers are good at chasing down foxes, but also good at digging a fox out of its lair. This made them good at digging out badgers as well!

7. Some badger setts (collection of burrows and dens) are more than 100 years old!

The complex set of tunnels and dens created by European badgers are passed down from generation to generation. Because of the work required to build the sett and the number of other animals that rely on the dens, badgers keep using them and letting their offspring use them. In some cases, badgers remodel and add on to the setts to accommodate growing families.

8. Badgers change their bedding daily.

Badgers don’t have memory foam mattresses, but they do like to sleep on clean sheets. They sleep in underground dens on leaves, hay, and grass. Scientists have observed them removing the old bedding and replacing it with fresh leaves and grass for the following night. In general, badgers tend to keep their burrows and dens very clean.