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Earthworms

In most of Britain and western Europe, earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) form the largest part of the badger's diet, and whenever weather conditions are right (mild and damp), badgers will head for those areas where they know they are likely to find worms on the surface. Foraging for worms is most effective in areas of short grass (5 centimetres high or less), so well-grazed pastures are preferred, and well-maintained amenity grasslands (playing fields, golf courses and garden lawns) may also be used if they fall within the badger's territory.

Worms can also be found in good numbers in deciduous woodlands, but are less common in arable fields, and scarce in the acid soils of coniferous forests and moorlands.

Picture © Steve Jackson.

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Other foods

When earthworms are not readily available, for example during dry weather, badgers switch to other food sources. Their favourite alternatives are:

• Other invertebrates, especially beetles and ground-living insect larvae; wasp nests are frequently dug up and the grubs eaten.
• Carrion (dead animals and birds).
• Small mammals, usually young rabbits, mice or voles dug from their nests. Some badgers learn how to deal with hedgehogs too.
• Fruits and nuts, such as blackberries, cherries, and acorns.
• Cereals, typically wheat or oats which are gleaned from fields.
• Roots, bulbs and tubers - pignuts and wild arum roots are favourites.

In short, badgers are very much opportunists, and will take whatever is available, but earthworms are the preferred food item.

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References

b001, b013.

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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