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Scratching posts

Many setts have one or more scratching posts situated nearby. These are usually elder trees, which often grow around badger setts. The bark on these trees is scored, shredded, or completely removed up to a height of 1 metre.

Other trees may also be scratched, but those with tougher bark may not show any obvious signs of this. One night I watched badgers scratching the trunks of several hawthorn trees, but when I examined the trunks the next day I could see no evidence of claw marks.

As well as tree trunks, badgers may also scratch fence posts or other objects near the sett. The most unusual scratching post that I have seen was next to a sett in the corner of a graveyard. The back of the gravestone nearest to the sett had a number of badger scratch marks on it!

Picture © Steve Jackson.

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Why do badgers use scratching posts?

Various explanations have been put forward regarding the reasons why the badgers scratch trees and other posts. One suggestion is that the badgers clean mud from their feet when scratching. However, I have rarely seen mud on scratching trees.

Another explanation is that when badgers scratch trees, they mark them with scent from the glands between their toes, and so are using them as some kind of territorial marker. I therefore refer to these scratch marks as badger graffiti - they say in effect "Brock was here", in the form of a scent message. Scratching trees remain conspicuous even when the badgers have not used them for some time. They can help you to identify a badger sett, but they do not usually provide evidence that the sett is in current use.

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Scratching tree - or playing tree?

Trees may also become scratched by badgers as a result of the badgers - particularly cubs - playing on them. The trees so affected are either fallen trees, or trees with trunks which slope at an angle or have low branches. In other words, they are trees which badger cubs can climb onto easily!

Picture © Steve Jackson.

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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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