04 Sep Badgers at Warfield Park 🦡

Badgers at Warfield Park 

Here at Warfield Park, we’re lucky to have a number of badger setts around our grounds. In fact, we’ve even set aside areas of land near a sett to make sure these amazing animals are not disturbed. 

Here are some fascinating facts about UK badgers: 

• Largest land carnivore in the UK – Although they eat a wide variety of foods, the European badger (Meles meles) is technically the country’s largest carnivore 
• Family life – Badgers live in groups called clans or cetes (usually 6–12 members) in underground homes called setts, which can be hundreds of years old. 
• Underground cities – Some setts have dozens of entrances and miles of tunnels, maintained and expanded over generations. 
• Super diggers – With strong muscles and long claws, badgers can dig quickly through even tough soil. 
• Surprisingly clean – They use designated “latrines” outside their setts and change their grass or straw bedding regularly. 
• Nocturnal lifestyle – Badgers are night owls, emerging around dusk to forage. 
• Favourite food – They especially love earthworms, which can make up to 80% of their diet, though they’ll also eat fruit, nuts, insects, and the occasional small mammal. 
• Unique gait – Their low “shuffle” walk hides the fact they can run surprisingly fast when needed. 
• Protected by law – Harming badgers or interfering with their setts is illegal under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. 
• Folklore guardians – In British folklore, badgers were often seen as wise and mysterious woodland protectors. 
• Sharing with foxes – Occasionally, badgers and foxes cohabit the same sett, though usually in separate chambers. 
• Masters of reverse – Badgers can walk backwards easily, perfect for navigating tight tunnels. 
• Ancient homes – Some UK setts are thought to be over 100 years old. 
• Signature scents – Each clan has a unique “accented” smell, used for recognition. 
• Winter slowdown – They don’t hibernate, but they do sleep more in winter, relying on stored fat. 
• Badger highways – Well-worn paths, or “runs,” are often used for centuries across fields and woods. 

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