Body grey, black fur on legs. Badgers are nocturnal and rarely seen during the day. When not active, badgers usually lie up in an extensive system of underground tunnels and nesting chambers, known as a sett. Occasionally, when the weather is particularly hot, badgers may briefly come above ground during daytime. The badger's most important food is earthworms, which are caught on pasture or in deciduous woodland, especially on wet nights.
Carrion is eaten by badgers living in upland areas, but predation of farm livestock is rare.
Blackberries and windfall apples are major food sources in the autumn. Cereals, particularly wheat, may be eaten, especially if other foods are in short supply. Badgers live in social groups of four to 12 adults. Only one female badger in a social group normally breeds, although occasionally two or more may do so. Litters of two or three cubs are usually born in February.