Badger

Badgers become sexually mature at about one year old and mating may occur during any month, although the majority are between February and May (mating is also quite common between July and September). Oestrous (the female’s receptive period) in Meles is typically between one and two days, during which a sow may mate with several boars (and prior to which, boards descend their testicles after over-winter retraction as a heat-conserving method).

During courtship, the male will pursue the female and bite her nape (back of the neck) during intercourse. Reports exist describing the sow running around in circles -- first clockwise, then anti-clockwise, similar to that observed in courting hedgehogs -- prior to copulation, although it is unknown whether this is common behaviour.

After fertilization, sows undergo a phenomenon known as embryonic diapause (also referred to as ‘Delayed Implantation’). Diapause is a dramatic reduction in, or a cessation of, mitosis (cell division) in the zygote (fertilized egg) at the blastocyst stage. The end result is that cubs are born during the spring, almost regardless of when mating actually occurs. Once diapause ends gestation is usually between six and eight weeks, with cubs born anywhere from mid-January to mid-March with the bulk occurring in early February.

As many as five young badgers will be born underground, where they will be blind for the first five weeks. Young badgers emerge from the nursery chamber at about eight weeks old (late April or early May) and the cubs have their first teeth at four weeks old. The permanent dentition is complete by 16 weeks (ca. 4 months). Weaning begins when the cubs are about 12 weeks old and during this process the sow will regurgitate food for the cubs; cubs are weaned and feeding themselves by five to six months old (around end of June, early July).