Setts

Badgers are burrowing animals which live underground in what are called setts.

A badger sett is made up of a number of underground chambers which are connected together by a network of tunnels. This is all dug out by the badger using their very strong and efficient claws.

Setts are usually found on sloping ground where there is some level of cover from surrounding vegetation such as next to woods and copses.

Although setts can often be found in areas where there are clay soils, badgers prefer to locate them in areas where there are well drained sandy soils as this is easier for them to dig. As sandy soils have a low structural strength they will tend to build their setts in areas next to the roots of trees and hedges. This way the roots help provide extra structural strength to the sett to help stop them collapsing.