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Introduction

If you are not sure whether a hole in the ground is part of a badger sett, an examination of the spoil heap - the mound of excavated material outside - can reveal tell-tale clues. A large heap of earth suggests excavation by badgers. The presence of scratched rocks, badger remains, badger hairs and other such clues are even stronger evidence.

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Size

The size of a spoil heap often gives an indication as to whether or not the hole in question is part of a rabbit warren or a badger sett. Although rabbits can produce fairly impressive spoil heaps when digging holes in very soft soil, the spoil heaps outside badger sett entrances are generally much larger than those produced by rabbits. The spoil heaps outside the entrance of a well-established badger sett can be very large indeed.

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Excavated soil

The nature of the excavated material can also help with identification. The material dug out by badgers, with their strong forelegs, massive paws and rake-like claws, is usually much coarser than that dug out by rabbits.

Freshly excavated earth outside sett entrances is an obvious sign that the sett is in use. Badgers drag the earth out backwards, pulling it out and away from the entrance hole with their forepaws before kicking it away with their back feet. In the process they sometimes form a well-defined furrow or groove from the sett entrance into the spoil heap. An examination of these furrows may reveal claw marks along their sides. Freshly excavated earth is usually quite obvious; that dug from setts in sandstone for example is darker and redder than the old spoil.

Picture © Steve Jackson. See the Photo File.

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Rocks

On the spoil heaps of holes dug into rocky soils you may find excavated rocks. These will have been dug out by badgers. You will sometimes find that the rocks have been scored by the badgers claws as they scratched away at them underground in order to loosen them and pull them out. These claw marks can be quite deep if the rock is relatively soft (for example chalk or softer limestones and sandstones).

Picture © Steve Jackson. See the Photo File.

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Clay balls

In the spoil heaps outside the entrances of setts dug into sticky clay, you may also find "clay balls". These balls range from golf ball to tennis ball in size, and often incorporate badger hairs. Cutting open the balls has revealed they are formed by a rolling action of some kind. It is suggested that the clay probably accumulates gradually on the badgers' fur as they move around in their tunnels; the balls may be formed as the badgers try to remove the clay with their paws.

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Skulls and other bones

Occasionally, the excavated remains - usually the skulls - of badgers which have died below ground months or even years ago, are found on the spoil heaps outside badger setts. Such remains are clear evidence that you have found a badger sett (though not necessarily a sett which is currently occupied).

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Other clues

There are number of other clues which you can find on a spoil heap which are described on separate pages: bedding material, tracks and badger hairs.

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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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