Receptive females will have mated by now, and after cell division the egg will have developed into a blastocyst and implanted in the wall of the womb, to form a foetus Unused breeding chambers may be cleaned out. When weather permits badgers may leave the sett to forage, and collect bedding in anticipation of the birth of cubs.

February

The foetus will continue to develop, some additional digging will take place to extend chambers, and after around 6-8 weeks, cubs will be born. The sow will suckle her cubs for around 12 weeks. Soiled bedding may be seen laid out on spoil heaps where cubs are below ground, and some bedding collection will be taking place to replace it. Foraging will increase, but still be irregular, depending on weather. A second litter (again, due to delayed implantation) may be born during February or March.

March

Badgers are becoming more active, with foraging and bedding collection increasing. This extra activity (together with dark mornings and evenings) can result in an increase in road traffic collisions. Cubs will starve if the lactating sow is killed or seriously injured.

April

Cubs are becoming more curious within the sett, and depending on their date of birth and if the conditions are good, they may emerge towards the end of the month, but only under supervision. Excavation underground will slow down, but some bedding will still be collected.

May

Cubs will have emerged, and will be exploring around the vicinity of the sett. They’ll stick together, and mom won’t be far away. At 9-10 weeks old, the cubs develop very quickly and at 10-12 weeks they’ll begin to display typical, boisterous, badger behaviour. Research suggests that most of this behaviour is inherited, rather than learned.

June

Weather conditions will now influence growth rate and when the cubs are weaned. In very dry conditions (when earthworms are harder to find) mom may continue to suckle them past the end of the month, but under normal conditions most will be weaned before July, and foraging for themselves. Playtime gets increasingly noisy and boisterous.

July

During July, cubs may approach nearly half the weight of an adult if conditions are suitable. In a dry summer, the clan will need to travel further and for longer when foraging, to meet their nutritional needs. Invariably this results in another peak period for road casualties.

August

Excavation underground and bedding collection may increase again now, but the clan still prioritises foraging. If conditions are dry, with fewer earthworms, they’ll exploit other sources going into harvest time, such as berries, fruit, and commercially-grown crops such as maize.

September

Preparations for autumn and winter intensify at the sett, with digging, and the renewal of some bedding. Materials gathered will vary depending on environmental factors, and can include fern, trailing foliage such as wild clematis, rock rose, leaves, and even thistles. They’ll also help themselves to spillages when hay or straw is harvested. However, if it’s available rank grass is usually preferred. Material may be carried some distance, and is clutched to the chest and carried backwards.  Feeding will also continue in earnest, as the animals build up vital bodyweight in preparation for winter months.