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Predators

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Adult badgers have few natural enemies. They have powerful jaws and can give a very nasty bite - this is something you should remember if you ever find an injured badger!. Also, the badger has thick fur, and its skin is thick and loose. This means that even if another animal gets hold of a badger in its jaws, it finds it difficult to do much harm to the badger, but the badger can still turn round and bite back!

The badger's striking black and white face probably warns other animals to keep away. This is called warning colouration. Other animals with warning colouration include the skunk (with black and white stripes), which can spray attackers with a horrible-smelling liquid, and bees and wasps (with black and yellow stripes) which can sting.

Although adult badgers can defend themselves very well, badger cubs cannot. Cubs are smaller, and they do not have the powerful bite of an adult badger. However, if a cub comes under attack from a predator, it can make itself look like an adult badger. The cub does this by fluffing up its fur, making itself look bigger. It also turns to face its enemy, showing its black and white face. This may be enough to frighten off the attacker.

Even so, in Britain badger cubs are sometimes killed and eaten by foxes. From time to time they may also be taken by large birds of prey like golden eagles and buzzards. In some other countries, other predators may take cubs - including wolves, lynx, bears, Wolverines and eagle owls.
RSPB Spotlight on Badgers book
James Lowen explores the lives of badgers and their communal living, feeding habits and threats to their conservation. Click here to buy:
Paperback edition
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