Badger Facts

How much do you know about badgers? Lets see how many questions you got right.

1. The name badger comes from the French word meaning 'to dig'

This is said to be true. The story goes: during the Battle of Hastings, Britain was invaded by France, bringing many of their ways with them, including vocabulary. Some French soldiers are said to have pointed to a badger shouting 'becher'. It is believed that this replaced the English word of Brock.

2. A badger's home is called an sett.

This is true. Badgers often have extremely large setts with many entrances.

3. Badgers can swim well.

This is true. Badgers often choose not to swim, unless they have to. If they need to swim for food, they will.

4. Badgers can eat 200 or more worms a day.

This is true. Earthworms are a badger's favourite dinner! Besides Stubby biccies of course!

5. Badgers are bigger in Scotland than in England.

This is true. Badgers tend to get bigger and heavier the further north you go.

6. Badgers hunt their food by smell as they don't hear or see very well.

This is partly true. Badgers do use their sense of smell most for hunting. Their sight is poor; they cannot see colour or detail; however their hearing is good.

7. Badgers will get honey to eat by attacking a bees' nest..

This is true. Particularly Honey Badgers, it's where they got their name from after all.

8. Badgers will share their homes with other creatures. .

This is true. They will share their territories and burrows with other creatures such as foxes and rabbits.

9. An adult badger usually weighs about 11 or 12 kgs.

This is true. At it's heaviest an adult badger is 11-12kgs. In the spring/summer, a badger weight can dip to 8-9kgs.

10. A badger's whiskers help it find food.

This is true. Their whiskers help them to dig for food, without needing good eyesight.

11. Almost all badger cubs are born in February.

This is true. In Hampshire badger cubs are born in February. The date can vary depending on the area; badger cubs further north will be born at a different time to cubs further south.

12. Badgers are great!

This is true. At Stubbington we think they are great! Do you agree?