New Forest
Explorers
Guide

New Forest
Explorers Guide

For comprehensive information about the New Forest National Park

***** For information about New Forest access restrictions and related matters, check out the Forestry England website. *****

Badgers - other animals in the sett, and animal passers-by

Find out lots more about badgers

A variety of animals are likely to pass over badgers' setts on a fairly regular basis, animals such as deer, cattle, sheep and horses, none of which will cause the badgers undue alarm; whilst, in addition to foxes, rabbits and rodents are often tolerated as lodgers in badgers; setts.

(1) Fallow deer pass over a badgers' sett

Five fallow deer, all does, wander across a badgers' sett quite a while after sunrise. The badgers, not surprisingly at this time, are nowhere to be seen. The deer meant no harm and were probably unaware that they were trespassing, whilst the badgers from past experience would know this, so it's likely that, had they been above ground, the badgers would not have been overly concerned by the deers' presence.

(2) Roe deer visit two separate badgers' setts

Here, single roe does pass over separate badgers' setts long after the badgers have retired to spend the day underground.

(3) A mouse startles a badger cub

A badger cub emerges from a sett entrance and nearly jumps out of its skin as it catches sight of a nearby mouse. The cub's immediate instinct is defence, so it arches its back and fluffs out its coat. The mouse, not surprisingly, rapidly retreats.

(4) A badger chases a mouse

In the temporary absence of the resident badgers, two mice are active around a sett entrance. A badger eventually appears, notices a mouse and gives chase. Despite the badgers' surprisingly rapid turn of speed, the far more nimble mouse makes good its escape.

Further information and a variety of fascinating badger videos

Badgers - a general introduction

Badger field signs - look out for evidence of badger presence in the countryside

Badger watching - a guide to watching badgers

Badger behaviour - an introduction to a series of badger behaviour videos, mostly shot in the New Forest, and lots more information about badgers

Badger's setts - situation, size, tunnelling and excavation (videos)

Emergence from the sett - times of emergence and factors influencing variation (videos)

Grooming and mutual grooming - badgers grooming themselves and each other (videos)

Scent marking - badgers scent marking their nearest and dearest, and also their territory (videos)

Badger bedding - essential comfort for a good day's sleep (videos)

Play fighting amongst the cubs - high jinks by the sett, but also preparation for later life (videos)

Badger fights / badgers fighting - potentially vicious affairs (videos)

Badgers and foxes together - an often uncomfortable relationship (videos)

Disturbance at badger setts - by people, cats, dogs and passing foxes (videos)

Other animals in the sett, and animal passers-by - shared living space, rabbits, mice, deer, ponies and more (videos)

Badger cull - badgers, bovine Tuberculosis (bTB), and the badger cull

References:
The Natural History of Badgers, Ernest Neal
Badgers: Ernest Neal and Chris Cheeseman
Darkness Is Light Enough: Chris Ferris
Out of the Darkness: Chris Ferris
Eileen Soper's Badgers
Mammals of Britain and Europe: David Macdonald and Priscilla Barrett

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