- Lifespan
- 12–14 years in the wild, up to 16 years in captivity
- Size & Weight
- 60–90 cm body length; 24–36 kg
- Habitat
- Woodlands, grasslands, moorland, and agricultural areas with suitable sett sites, typically in banks, rocky outcrops, or under tree roots.
- UK Distribution
- Found throughout England, Wales, and Scotland (though less common in northern Scotland); resident year-round across the UK.
- Diet
- Omnivorous; earthworms (primary food source), small mammals, insects, carrion, fruits, and vegetation.
- Prey
- Earthworms, small rodents (voles, mice), insects (beetle larvae), amphibians, and occasionally young rabbits.
- Predators
- Few natural predators in the UK; young cubs vulnerable to foxes; vehicle strikes are a major cause of mortality.
- Mating Season
- February to March (delayed implantation; cubs born December to February)
- Breeding
- Litter size 1–5 cubs (average 3); gestation 12–13 weeks after implantation; cubs emerge from sett at 8–10 weeks; weaned by 12 weeks.
- Behaviour
- Primarily nocturnal and solitary outside breeding season; highly territorial with complex social hierarchies in setts. Live in underground burrow systems (setts) containing multiple chambers and entrances. Known for their strong odour from anal scent glands used for marking territory.