Baby Badgers On Campus

At the bottom of Tremough Campus there is a badger (Meles meles) set that has some newcomers.  The set is  situated beneath clusters of brambles and nettles in a clearing close to areas of woodland.  I have been studying  and recording the badgers behaviour over the past couple of weeks and have noticed that the baby badgers, of which there are three, are being left alone for long periods of time before the mother returns.  In this time  the baby badgers, otherwise known as kits or  cubs, have been exploring their new habitat in both daylight and dusk unprotected. 

I have taken out some background research on badges and how they raise their young. Some of the information I have recorded can be seen below and was found from the website called Badger facts and breeding, www.wildlife–web.org.uk.

Badgers can mate in every month of the year, but particularly from February onwards. If conditions and food are good, a female can mate in her first autumn and have her first cubs around her first birthday.
One of the most interesting things about badgers is 'delayed implantation'. This trait, unique to members of the  Mustelidae family (badgers, weasels, etc) allows the female to become fertilized but 'choose' to actually begin development of the baby badger at a later date, when the weather changes and food is more readily available. This gives her cubs the greatest chance of survival.

When cubs are born they weigh about 100g (3.5 oz) and are little more than 12 cm (5 inches) long. They can be 1kg (2 lb) by three months, over 3kg (6.5 lb) at four months, 6kg (13 lb) after 6 months and then when they are 1 year old they will weigh about 9 kg (19.5 lb).
The cubs stay underground in the badger set are fed by their mother. Their eyes open after 5 weeks, and after this they will emerge from the set - but not go far at all. Within 5 months of being born badgers will be familiar with their immediate environment and will have learnt the most important areas and landmarks.
After three months the mother will begin to regurgitate worms and other insects to move the cubs onto solid food. The mother will try to move the cubs onto solids as soon as possible, as giving milk on her own fat reserves. They will start to find their own insects in their fourth and fifth months. 

With the badgers now out of set we can assume that they are between five weeks and five months old. 

Recent news that I have gathered about the badgers is rather sad. Both mother and father have been  killed in traffic accidents as the set is close to a main road in Penryn. The Cubs have been removed and have been taken to the local rescue centre to be looked after and hopefully return to the wild when they can fend for themselves. 

I will try and find out more information about the progress of these badgers and update you soon. 

Abbi

Location: Tremough Campus
Date: 7th May 2011
Time: 8pm - 9pm
Weather: Dusk, cloud cover but warm southerly winds.
Map Reference: SW775345