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Introduction

The European badger digs extensive underground homes known as setts, consisting of a network of interconnected tunnels and chambers. They are typically excavated in soil that is well drained and easy to dig, such as sand, and situated on sloping ground where there is some cover, for example in a wood, copse or hedgerow. The picture shows freshly excavated earth dug from the entrance of a sett in sandy soil in a wood not far from my home.

Picture © Steve Jackson. See the Photo File.

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Types of setts

In Britain, where much research has been carried out, several categories of setts have been recognised. Every badger clan has one main sett. These are occupied continuously and are used for breeding; they are usually large, well-established setts which have been excavated by several generations of badgers and are vital for the badgers' survival. These setts can become quite large over time: setts with a dozen to 20 or more entrances are common, and quite a number of setts with 50 - 100 entrance holes are known. Below ground, there are hundreds of metres of tunnels, created by the excavation of many tonnes of earth.

In addition to the main sett, most clans also have one or more secondary setts within their territories. These secondary setts fall into three categories - annexe setts, subsidiary setts, and outlier setts. Secondary setts are less important to the badgers than main setts, but they are useful nonetheless, especially if the main sett is disturbed. Disused setts may be taken over by rabbits or used by foxes; both of these species will also co-habit with badgers in occupied setts.

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Bedchambers

In the chambers inside the sett, the badgers make nests to sleep in. Periodically, fresh bedding material - typically dry grass, straw, bracken or dead leaves - is collected and dragged into the sett. Old bedding material is also removed from the sett from time to time and left on the spoil heap. After 'airing' it may then be taken back into the sett.

Picture © Barry Bickerton. Permission for use given on 18 June 2004.

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References

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Additional picture credits

The Eurasian badger photo used at the head of this Article is © Steve Jackson. Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.

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