Badgers have unusual breeding patterns since mating can take place at any time of the year. After mating, badgers exhibit what is known as delayed implantation. They keep the fertilised eggs, in the womb in a state of suspended development until they implant at the end of December.

Despite the presence of the fertilised eggs, female badgers can have further matings. Not only are mating opportunities maximised, but young can also be born at the best time of year (during early spring so that, after weaning, food for the hungry cubs is becoming more plentiful).

What causes delayed implantation?

It is known that reproductive steroid hormones are taken up by the fatty deposits of badgers during the spring and summer. It is thought that these hormones are released when the fatty deposits are used up in the winter. The release of these steroids allows the fertilised eggs to implant.

Cubs are usually born during the first fortnight in February in the south and west, but sometimes a little later as you go further north in the UK.

New-born badger cubs are covered in grey silky hairs and usually the dark facial stripes are already visible. New cubs are about 12cm long (plus a 3-4cm tail), weigh about 75-130g and their eyes are closed for about 5 weeks. Badger cubs are fed on their mothers milk, and often live within a special nursery chamber within the sett. Their waste products are removed from the nesting chamber by the sow, until such time as they are mobile enough to use the latrines outside the sett.

Weaning usually begins when the cubs are at least three months old. During this time they feed on some solid food, particularly earthworms, and follow the mother when she goes off to feed herself.

Sense of smell is the most important sense for badger cubs, since the first two months or more of their lives are spent in darkness below ground where smell, hearing and touch are far more useful than sight. Even at three months old, the cubs are still very short-sighted. By following the example of their parents they also learn to use the "latrines" sited near the sett.

Dry, clean bedding is of great importance for the survival of the cubs. A chamber full of hay, straw and bracken acts as an efficient heat insulator, helping the cubs conserve their body heat. The straw will prevent the cubs being too battered by cold draughts; and it will insulate their little bodies from the cold soil underneath where they lie down.