{"id":2893,"date":"2024-11-05T11:28:28","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T11:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/advice\/squirrel-advice-2\/"},"modified":"2026-06-22T15:15:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T15:15:05","slug":"badger","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/advice\/badger\/","title":{"rendered":"Badger"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"hero bg-Rose\">\n      <div data-aos=\"fade-in\" data-aos-delay=\"700\" class=\"bg-img bg-cover img-wrap-rel\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1369\" height=\"921\" src=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Badger-Banner-1369x921.jpg\" class=\"img-ab focal-point-image\" alt=\"Badger\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Badger-Banner-1369x921.jpg 1369w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Badger-Banner-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Badger-Banner-1024x689.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Badger-Banner-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Badger-Banner-1536x1033.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Badger-Banner-2048x1377.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Badger-Banner-245x165.jpg 245w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Badger-Banner-600x404.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1369px) 100vw, 1369px\" style=\" --focal-point-left: 0.5; --focal-point-top: 0.5; \" \/>  <\/div>\n      <div class=\"container-xl py-5 d-flex align-items-center\">\n        <div class=\"hero-content py-4\">\n            <div class=\"content-wrap btn-mob-full pe-0 pe-lg-2\">\n                                    <h1>Badger<\/h1>\n                                <p>Understanding badgers: behaviour, diet, habitats, and common issues<\/p>\n\t                                                                                                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\t<a id=\"options\"><\/a>\n<section class=\"jump-links\">\n    <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"container-xl wrapper-sm\">\n        <div class=\"rose-wrap\">\n                            <p>\n                    <strong>On this page:<\/strong>\n                <\/p>\n                                        <ul>\n                                            <li>\n                                                            <a href=\"#where\" target=\"_self\">Where badgers make their homes<\/a>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li>\n                                                            <a href=\"#what\" target=\"_self\">What badgers eat<\/a>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li>\n                                                            <a href=\"#wild\" target=\"_self\">That\u2019s wild!<\/a>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li>\n                                                            <a href=\"#when\" target=\"_self\">When badger cubs are born<\/a>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li>\n                                                            <a href=\"#garden\" target=\"_self\">Do badgers visit gardens?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li>\n                                                            <a href=\"#persecution\" target=\"_self\">Threats and persecution<\/a>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li>\n                                                            <a href=\"#common\" target=\"_self\">Common problems badgers face<\/a>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"text-block\">\n    <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"inner  my-5\" data-bs-theme=\"white\">\n        <div class=\"container-xl wrapper-sm\">\n            <div class=\"content-wrap\">\n                <p>Badgers are nocturnal creatures who live underground and generally avoid people wherever possible.<\/p>\n<p>They may be elusive but, if you are lucky enough to see one, there\u2019s no mistaking a badger! With their distinctive black and white-striped faces and bushy tails, badgers are unlike any other mammals in Scotland. Measuring in at roughly the size of a spaniel makes them Scotland\u2019s largest land carnivore.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\t<a id=\"where\"><\/a>\n<section class=\"text-block\">\n    <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"inner  my-5\" data-bs-theme=\"white\">\n        <div class=\"container-xl wrapper-sm\">\n            <div class=\"content-wrap\">\n                <h2>Where badgers make their homes<\/h2>\n<p>Badgers are most commonly found in woodland areas. They thrive on socialising with their own kind and live in family-like groups in an underground network of tunnels called a sett. They often have more than one sett across their territory.<\/p>\n<p>Whilst fox dens are likely to be surrounded by fur and feathers, badger setts are easily distinguished by their large, tidy entrances and close-by latrine pits where they do the toilet. That\u2019s right \u2013 badgers are toilet-trained wildlife!<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\t<a id=\"what\"><\/a>\n<section class=\"text-block\">\n    <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"inner  my-5\" data-bs-theme=\"white\">\n        <div class=\"container-xl wrapper-sm\">\n            <div class=\"content-wrap\">\n                <h2><strong>What badgers eat<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Badgers leave their setts at night to forage for their favourite food \u2013 earthworms.<\/p>\n<p>They also feast on bramble berries, nuts and seeds as well as small animals such as mice, rats and amphibians. Their fantastic sense of smell and long claws are a great help in sniffing out and catching a meal.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\t<a id=\"wild\"><\/a>\n<section class=\"text-block\">\n    <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"inner  py-5\" data-bs-theme=\"light\">\n        <div class=\"container-xl wrapper-sm\">\n            <div class=\"content-wrap\">\n                <h2><strong>That&#8217;s wild!<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"text-align-center\">Badgers can eat hundreds of earthworms every night! They also snack on fruits, roots, insects, and even small mammals, making them true night time foraging experts.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\t<a id=\"when\"><\/a>\n<section class=\"text-block\">\n    <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"inner  my-5\" data-bs-theme=\"white\">\n        <div class=\"container-xl wrapper-sm\">\n            <div class=\"content-wrap\">\n                <h2><strong>When badger cubs are born<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Female badgers usually give birth to two or three cubs in January or February. The cubs spend the first two or three months underground, emerging from their sett in the spring once they\u2019ve been weaned from their mother\u2019s milk.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\t<a id=\"garden\"><\/a>\n<section class=\"text-block\">\n    <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"inner  my-5\" data-bs-theme=\"white\">\n        <div class=\"container-xl wrapper-sm\">\n            <div class=\"content-wrap\">\n                <h2><strong>Do badgers visit gardens?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Badgers rarely visit urban gardens however, they may venture into larger, rural gardens looking for a good meal. In their search for earthworms, they can cause damage by trampling plants and digging up areas of grass and soil.<\/p>\n<p>The most humane and long-term solution to deter badgers is to remove or stop access to whatever it is that&#8217;s attracting them, whether this is food or shelter. However, do keep in mind that badgers and their setts are protected by law under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.<\/p>\n<p>It is an offence to interfere with a live badger or an active sett. Potential penalties include a maximum of twelve months imprisonment and\/or a \u00a340,000 fine. Under limited circumstances, such as human safety, essential development etc., licenced individuals can use lethal methods of control.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\t<a id=\"persecution\"><\/a>\n<section class=\"text-block\">\n    <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"inner  my-5\" data-bs-theme=\"white\">\n        <div class=\"container-xl wrapper-sm\">\n            <div class=\"content-wrap\">\n                <h2><strong>Threats and persecution\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h6><strong>Badger baiting or animal fighting<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>Badger baiting has been illegal in the UK for decades and we strongly oppose the killing of any animal for \u2018sport\u2019. These animal fights are often associated with other organised crime.<\/p>\n<p>Badger baiting involves digging a badger out from underground, while people wait to set their dogs on the wild animal in a fight to the death.\u00a0 When forced to fight for their lives, badgers are ferocious. Baiting may kill a badger, but that badger can seriously injure and permanently disfigure the dogs involved too.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re concerned badger baiting may be happening in your local area, keep an eye out for these signs:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>People in rural locations with spades and dogs, especially at unusual times such as late at night.<\/li>\n<li>Terriers wearing locator collars so baiters know where to dig. They may also be wearing chin guards to try and protect them from injury.<\/li>\n<li>People with groups of bigger dogs, such as lurchers, to fight any badgers flushed out of their setts.<\/li>\n<li>A \u2018crowning down hole\u2019. This is usually dug lower down the slope from the badger entrance to allow baiters to get close to the badger\u2019s bedding or nesting chamber.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our Special Investigations Unit investigates reports of badger baiting. They also report people for prosecution if they find evidence they have taken part in this cruel blood sport.<\/p>\n<p>If you know of anyone involved in animal fighting, or suspect it is happening in your area, you can report it to Police Scotland\u2019s Wildlife Crime Unit by calling 101.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h6><strong>Snares and traps<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>In 2024, after 30 years of campaigning, a ban on glue traps and snares was finally introduced by the Scottish Government with\u00a0 the update to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/asp\/2024\/4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024<\/a> (opens in new window).<\/p>\n<p>Badgers sometimes get caught in snares and traps which have been legally set. It is illegal for anyone to tamper with a legally-set snare or trap so we would ask the public not to attempt this. If you suspect a device is set illegally, call our helpline immediately on 03000 999 999.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\t<a id=\"common\"><\/a>\n<section class=\"text-block\">\n    <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"inner  my-5\" data-bs-theme=\"white\">\n        <div class=\"container-xl wrapper-sm\">\n            <div class=\"content-wrap\">\n                <h2><strong>Common problems badgers face<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h6><strong>Road traffic accidents<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>Sadly, many badgers are hurt or killed in road traffic collisions every year. Read <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/advice\/on-the-road\/\">further advice<\/a><\/strong> about badgers on the road.<\/p>\n<p>You should report traffic fatalities, or any dead badger, to Scottish Badgers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scottishbadgers.org.uk\/be-involved\/report\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h6><strong>Sick or injured badgers<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>If you find an injured or sick badger, <span data-olk-copy-source=\"MailCompose\">please call our Helpline on 03000 999 999, open from 9am to 5pm every day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Signs to be aware of include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Twitching.<\/li>\n<li>Not reacting to noise.<\/li>\n<li>Falling over.<\/li>\n<li>Not moving away when approached by a human.<\/li>\n<li>Open wounds.<\/li>\n<li>Breathing with mouth open or panting heavily.<\/li>\n<li>Lots of flies around the badger.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You should observe the badger until one of our animal rescue officers arrives to assist. Do not attempt to hold or touch the animal. Badgers can become aggressive if they are in pain or feel threatened; they can give a nasty bite and their sharp claws could cause serious injury, if you try to catch it.<\/p>\n<p>You should also contact us if you find a badger during daylight hours as they may be struggling.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h6><strong>Badger cub above ground<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>Any badger cub discovered out with their sett before they are around 12 weeks old,\u00a0or around the size of\u00a0a domestic cat,\u00a0is likely to need our help. Please contact our helpline on 03000 999 999.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>Supporting documents<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/news\/hunting-with-dogs-bill-introduced-to-parliament\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill<\/a> (opens in new window)<\/p>\n<p id=\"pageTitle\" class=\"pageTitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/asp\/2024\/4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024<\/a> (opens in new window)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n        <section class=\"related pt-5 pb-5 d-md-block\">\n      <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"container-xl wrapper-md\">\n        <div class=\"heading-wrap row mb-4\">\n          <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 mb-4\">\n            <h2>Find out more<\/h2>\n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 mb-4\">\n            <div class=\"btn-wrap\">\n                          <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"post-list\">\n          <div class=\"row g-2 g-md-4 post-slider slider-more-arrow\">\n                        <div class=\"col-12 col-md-4 rel-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/advice\/badger\/badger-sett\/\" class=\"post-item pb-3 d-flex flex-column h-100\">\n                    <div class=\"img-wrap mb-3\">\n                        <div class=\"img bg-cover img-wrap-rel\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Badger-wild-sett-2.jpg\" class=\"img-ab focal-point-image\" alt=\"Badger in sett\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Badger-wild-sett-2.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Badger-wild-sett-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Badger-wild-sett-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Badger-wild-sett-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Badger-wild-sett-2-769x512.jpg 769w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Badger-wild-sett-2-245x163.jpg 245w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Badger-wild-sett-2-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" style=\" --focal-point-left: 0.5; --focal-point-top: 0.5; \" \/>                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"text-wrap flex-fill d-flex flex-column\">\n                      <div class=\"content-wrap heading-underline mb-3\">\n                        <h3 class=\"h5 mb-3 match-height\">Badger Sett<\/h3>\n                        <p class=\"excerpt\">How to best figure out if a nearby burrow is a badger sett.<\/p>\n                      <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"btn-wrap mt-auto\">\n                          <span class=\"btn btn-outline-primary btn-arrow ps-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n                      <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"col-12 col-md-4 rel-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/what-we-do\/special-investigations\/badger-baiting\/\" class=\"post-item pb-3 d-flex flex-column h-100\">\n                    <div class=\"img-wrap mb-3\">\n                        <div class=\"img bg-cover img-wrap-rel\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/109989-011_SSPCA_SIU_Image_Blur_badger-baiting-header_v2.jpg\" class=\"img-ab focal-point-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/109989-011_SSPCA_SIU_Image_Blur_badger-baiting-header_v2.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/109989-011_SSPCA_SIU_Image_Blur_badger-baiting-header_v2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/109989-011_SSPCA_SIU_Image_Blur_badger-baiting-header_v2-245x163.jpg 245w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/109989-011_SSPCA_SIU_Image_Blur_badger-baiting-header_v2-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" style=\" --focal-point-left: 0.5; --focal-point-top: 0.5; \" \/>                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"text-wrap flex-fill d-flex flex-column\">\n                      <div class=\"content-wrap heading-underline mb-3\">\n                        <h3 class=\"h5 mb-3 match-height\">Badger Baiting<\/h3>\n                        <p class=\"excerpt\">Find out how our investigations combat badger baiting &#8211; a horrific crime labelled a &#8216;sport&#8217; that causes unimaginable animal suffering.<\/p>\n                      <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"btn-wrap mt-auto\">\n                          <span class=\"btn btn-outline-primary btn-arrow ps-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n                      <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"col-12 col-md-4 rel-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/advice\/sick-and-injured\/\" class=\"post-item pb-3 d-flex flex-column h-100\">\n                    <div class=\"img-wrap mb-3\">\n                        <div class=\"img bg-cover img-wrap-rel\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SSPCA-ARO-EILIDH-APR.jpg\" class=\"img-ab focal-point-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SSPCA-ARO-EILIDH-APR.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SSPCA-ARO-EILIDH-APR-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SSPCA-ARO-EILIDH-APR-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SSPCA-ARO-EILIDH-APR-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SSPCA-ARO-EILIDH-APR-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SSPCA-ARO-EILIDH-APR-1369x913.jpg 1369w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SSPCA-ARO-EILIDH-APR-769x513.jpg 769w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SSPCA-ARO-EILIDH-APR-245x163.jpg 245w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SSPCA-ARO-EILIDH-APR-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" style=\" --focal-point-left: 0.5; --focal-point-top: 0.5; \" \/>                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"text-wrap flex-fill d-flex flex-column\">\n                      <div class=\"content-wrap heading-underline mb-3\">\n                        <h3 class=\"h5 mb-3 match-height\">Sick, Injured and Deceased<\/h3>\n                        <p class=\"excerpt\">Here you can find all the services offered by the Scottish SPCA.<\/p>\n                      <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"btn-wrap mt-auto\">\n                          <span class=\"btn btn-outline-primary btn-arrow ps-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n                      <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    \n\n<section id=\"donate-163777\" class=\"donate-block  mt-5 pt-5 pb-5\">\n\n    \n\t            <div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"container-xl\">\n            <div class=\"outer-row row g-5 align-items-center\" data-aos=\"fade-up\">\n                <div class=\"col-lg-2 d-none d-lg-block\">\n                    <div class=\"bg-img bg-cover img-wrap-rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1369\" height=\"655\" src=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-1369x655.jpg\" class=\"img-ab focal-point-image\" alt=\"Barn owl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-1369x655.jpg 1369w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-1024x490.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-768x368.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-1536x735.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-2048x981.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-1920x919.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-769x368.jpg 769w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-245x117.jpg 245w, https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/scottishspca-springappeal-homepage-owl-1-600x287.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1369px) 100vw, 1369px\" style=\" --focal-point-left: 0.5; --focal-point-top: 0.5; \" \/>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-lg-7\">\n                    <div class=\"donate__content\">\n                        <div class=\"heading-wrap\">\n                            <h2><h2>Wild lives across Scotland need your support<\/h2>\n<p>Last year alone we saw 4,514 arrivals to our National Wildlife Rescue Centre. We depend on donations to keep our doors open. Your support could be the reason the next wild animal survives. <strong>Every \u00a31 matters to Scotland&#8217;s wildlife in our care.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h2>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-lg-3 text-center text-lg-end\">\n                    <a href=\"#XQTYUFMH\" style=\"display: none\"><\/a>\n                    <div class=\"pay-wrap pt-2 text-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/payment-logos.svg\" alt=\"Accepted payment methods\" class=\"pay mx-auto img-fluid\"><\/div>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n    \n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding badgers: behaviour, diet, habitats, and common issues<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2895,"parent":1873,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2893","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Badger Advice - SSPCA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/advice\/badger\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Badger\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Understanding badgers: behaviour, diet, habitats, and common issues\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/advice\/badger\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Scottish SPCA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scottishspca\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-22T15:15:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scottishspca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Badger-Banner.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2052\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1380\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ScottishSPCA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/advice\\\/badger\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/advice\\\/badger\\\/\",\"name\":\"Badger Advice - SSPCA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/advice\\\/badger\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/advice\\\/badger\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/Badger-Banner.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-11-05T11:28:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-22T15:15:05+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/advice\\\/badger\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/advice\\\/badger\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/advice\\\/badger\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/Badger-Banner.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/Badger-Banner.jpg\",\"width\":2052,\"height\":1380,\"caption\":\"Badger\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/advice\\\/badger\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scottishspca.org\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Advice &#038; 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