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. Badgers are widespread in Britain but are most common in the south west, rare in East Anglia and only thinly distributed in Scotland. It is estimated that there are about 42,000 social groups of badgers in Britain, made up of 250,000 adults which produce around 172,000 cubs a year. There is considerable variation in the size of social groups, so these figures can only be estimates.
Mortality is high, with around two-thirds of adults dying each year.
Road traffic accidents are a major cause of death. The maximum life expectancy of a badger is about 14 years, though very few survive so long. Badgers may not be deliberately killed, persecuted or trapped except under licence. The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 consolidates past badger legislation and, in addition to protecting the badger itself, makes it an offence to damage, destroy or obstruct badger setts. About 80 local groups have been formed by enthusiasts wishing to protect and study badgers.