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Dead badger - what sex is it?

Please say whether the badger is male or female, if known (see diagrams below for details of identification features). With badly damaged RTAs, it will often be impossible to tell.

Drawings by Steve Jackson, based on illustrations by Michael Clark.

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Further information

In the case of sightings of live badgers, please give details of the number of animals seen and what they were doing. In the case of other evidence of badgers, please describe the evidence in more detail. In the case of dead badgers:

• If possible, measure the animal from nose to tail base and from tail base to the tip of the tail, and record these measurements.
• In the case of a female badger, note whether or not she was lactating (in milk). The teats will normally be very prominent if she was.
• Note whether or not there are any bite wounds on the rump. This is evidence of fighting with another badger (see photo).
• Give details of any unusual markings or colouration.

Picture © Michael Clark, and used with his permission.

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Notes on road casualties

• When stopping to examine road casualties, remember that your safety and the safety of other road users comes first. Park sensibly with hazard warning lights on if appropriate, and don't endanger yourself or others.
• Check to see whether the badger is dead or alive. This is not always obvious. If the badger is lying motionless and you are not sure whether or not it is dead, stroke the back of its neck with a stick. If it is alive and conscious it will normally react to this by moving, possibly by biting the stick. If there is no reaction, then try feeling the chest for movements associated with breathing.
• If the badger is still alive, follow the guidance given in What to do if you find an injured badger. Otherwise, continue as follows.
• If the RTA victim is not too badly damaged, examine the body without handling it (or wear disposable gloves) and record the information required.
• If at all possible, move the body out of sight: a dead badger on the roadside advertises the presence of badgers in the area to any badger diggers who may pass.
• You may wish to take the body away and bury it; you should later be able to recover the skull. If the corpse is fresh and in good condition, weigh it if at all possible, and add this information to the details already recorded.
• Remember that in Britain it is an offence to possess a dead badger or any part of one, unless you can show that it was not killed illegally (for example in a road accident). Taking dated photographs or video film of the casualty, and making sure that your local Badger Group has a record of it may help if there are ever any questions asked.
• If it is not possible to move the animal out of sight and you do not wish to take it away, the environmental health section of your local council should be contacted to see if they will remove the body.
• If you cannot stop to examine the body, try to judge the animal's status as you go by (or if you have a passenger, get them to do so). Make a mental note of exactly where the RTA victim is (measure the distance from the badger to the next road junction or other landmark with your mileometer). Make a written record of this information as soon as you are able to stop (or again, get your passenger to do so). Above all, drive safely and do not endanger yourself or other road users.

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Making your report

To make it easier for people to report sightings and other evidence of badgers, I have designed a report form in PDF format which you can download and print out. There are two A5 size forms on the page.

Alternatively, you can ask your local Badger Group to provide you with copies of their own report forms if they have any, or you could simply use whatever paper you have to hand. If you regularly come across RTAs on your travels, you could compile a list rather than complete a separate sheet for each RTA. This information should then be passed on to your local Badger Group.

If you do not wish to fill out a written report, you can of course pass on details of your observations by telephone. A number of Badger Groups will also accept reports of sighting and other evidence of badger activity by e-mail or text message. Check the Badger Trust website for contact details for your local Badger Group.

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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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