Quick answer
Badgers feed on omnivore (mostly earthworms), adjusting seasonally based on local habitat and prey or plant availability.
Diet overview
Badgers are mammals that rely on omnivore (mostly earthworms). The European badger is a stocky, powerfully built mammal famous for the black-and-white stripes on its face. It is nocturnal, lives in family groups called clans inside large underground burrow systems known as setts, and feeds mainly on earthworms.
Feeding behaviour
Foraging strategy varies by season. Badgers may hunt, graze, filter-feed, or scavenge depending on ecology.
Role in the food web
As mammals, they interact with predators, prey, and competitors across their range.
Human-related feeding risks
Never feed wild badgers — it habituates animals to people and can spread disease.
Sources
FAQs
What do badgers eat?
Omnivore (mostly earthworms).
Are badgers carnivores or herbivores?
Their diet is best described as: omnivore (mostly earthworms).
Do badgers change diet seasonally?
Yes — many species shift food sources as seasons and prey abundance change.
Can I feed wild badgers?
No — feeding wild animals is unsafe and often illegal.