Mr Badger the Bully

I mentioned a few days ago that I was lucky enough to be able to watch a pair of badgers from my (temporary) bedroom window, and take some photos.

What I didn't tell you was how aggressive and bullying the male could be.  Often he appeared in the garden first, and his mate followed.  He was also, usually, the first to leave, she remained to get whatever he'd missed, or couldn't be bothered with.

One night I watched in horror as he attacked her; they fought a minute, scrapping and growling, then he cuffed her, forced her down to the ground then laid his body over her head, curling his body round slightly so that he could eat the peanuts from this position, whilst she was obliged to remain immobile. I wish I was more accomplished at photography so that you could see more clearly, but this is the best shot I got!  You can see the stripes of her face partly obscured by his flank.

Once he'd sated his appetite, he upped and left her to scout around for any titbits he'd overlooked.  Poor lady, I felt really sorry for her.  However, she stayed quite a while after he left, and seemed to find quite a bit to occupy her, so I hope she didn't return home hungry.