Badgers mate in summer and early fall. Gestation period varies from 183-265 days, including delayed implantation. Embryo implants about 45 days prior to birth. Males not mature sexually until second yr. Badgers 11-15 yr.
Badgers are highly specialized fossorial mustelids that help control small mammal populations.
Somewhat tolerant of human activities, however predator control using indiscriminate trapping and persistent poisons causes extensive losses. Contributions to our knowledge of the duration of life in vertebrate animals. Grinnell, J., J. S. Dixon, and J. M. Linsdale. Fur-bearing mammals of California. California Press, Berkeley.