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In some parts of their range where winters are long and bitterly cold, badgers may spend 6 or 7 months of the year sleeping below ground. In western Europe however (including Britain), badgers are typically active throughout the winter months. As this photograph shows, they may even be active when the ground is covered with deep snow.

Badger activity may in fact be at its peak at the time of year when the winter weather can be at its worst. Many sows give birth in or around February, and are then ready to mate. Because of this, the boars may travel widely at this time of year in search of mates. If there is snow on the ground, this provides an ideal opportunity for us to follow the badgers' footprints and find out exactly where they have been.

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Picture credit

© Steve Clark. Used with permission.

(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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