Size
of adult:
Heaviest in autumn, lightest in spring. Male 11.6 kg (25.5 lb). Female
10.1 kg (23.3 lb). Average length of male 90 cm (3ft) including tail.
Female slightly smaller.
Colour: Grey, rarely pale reddish, albino, or blackish.
Breeding season: Young usualy born mid-January to mid-March
Gestation Period: 7-8 weeks of true gestation preceded
by a variable period of delayed implantation (2-10 months)
Number of Young: 1-5, average about 3. During first 8 weeks
may reduce to 2.
Lifespan: Average 2-3 years, max. about 15 in wild.
Food: diet very variable, but eartyhworms by far the most
important. Also insects (esp. beetles), small mammals, carrion, cereals,
fruit.
Predators: Adults seldom killed by predators, cubs occasionally
killed by dogs and foxes. Many killed by gamekeepers and farmers,
and increasingly by cars.
Distribution: Widespread. More in wild, wet areas of south
and west, fewer in flat, heavily farmed areas, and above 500m (1640ft).
Badger
Persecution
Despite
all the badger protection legislation, this poor animal is still
being persecuted.
Estimates put the number of setts (where badgers live) being dug
out as at least 9,000 and car drivers know just how many more are
run over.
According
to a report in the Journal of Zoology , it was found that
badgers do best if they live in public places close to roads and
public footpaths.
Judging
by the many readers who contact us, it seems that to live in a quiet,
out of the way area is not too healthy, as this is just where the
badger hunters make for.
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