Badgers and Scratching Posts

 

Badger scratching post pic too add

A regular feature of this blog will be mammals and mammal ecology, two subjects which I absolutely have a huge passion for. A relatively common but often overlooked feature of Badger territories are scratching posts. There is usually one to several of these trees close to the sett, particularly main setts, in the circumstance of the sett being old these can be particularly well marked. To a lesser extent these trees may be scattered in other regularly used parts of the territory, particularly adjacent to regularly used foraging areas. 

In Britain there are few other mammals which sharpen their claws on trees like this (not to be confused with deer barking), perhaps feral/domestic cats being the other animal which regularly does this. Badger scratching posts can at times be surprisingly difficult features to spot, with the focus of the observer often on the ground looking for prints, feeding signs and sett entrances and ignoring tree trunk height. Although seldom found alone without other field signs, and unlikely to be the determining factor the sett being active, where setts are active they can add to the generally understanding of a setts ecology. When setts have been abandoned scratching posts can remain long after other signs have gone, including in some cases the sett entrances, which may quickly fill with detritus.  

Scratching trees display vertical claw marks usually between 40 to 80cm in height up the trunk. This is where a badger will stand against the tree trunk on its hind feed and drag its foreclaws down the trunk. Usually four deep groves, approximately 1cm apart can be seen. A key role for this activity is to deposit scent on the tree from interdigit glands on the feet. This olfactory cue signals the ownership of the area to that particular sett. 

As an animal which spends a lot of time digging and requires relatively strong sharp claws, this may also help remove dirt from the claws and keep them sharp, hard and in a good condition. Any tree species may be used, but in my experience they show a preference for species which have a thick, rutted bark as shown in species like Elder Sambucus nigra, Oaks Quercus spp., and Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris.