THE BADGER 139 



Fox stand but a poor chance with Brock under- 

 ground, for once he can get hold the dog will 

 probably soon be disabled. His strength of jaw 

 is very great, and when attacked he has a way of 

 protecting himself by rounding up his body much 

 in the same way as the Hedgehog does, his head 

 being completely hidden under his body. When 

 attacked in this position he is at a very great 

 advantage, for little impression can be made on 

 the tough hide exposed, and by an underneath 

 action he will manage to get hold of the attacking 

 party — if a Terrier, this is usually by the throat 

 or bottom jaw. 



Badgers have their young during the Spring 

 about April. The period of gestation is about 

 nine weeks, and three to six young ones are pro- 

 duced at a birth. The young are born blind, and 

 remain in the earth until about six weeks old 

 before they are able to toddle out. They are 

 dependent on the parents much longer than Fox 

 cubs. For the first three weeks or a month after 

 the young are born the mother spends most of her 

 time with the family, and depends on the old boar 

 to bring her food. The young are nine or ten 

 weeks old before they do anything in the way of 

 finding food for themselves. About this time 

 much is done in the way of enlarging the earth 

 if it is a new one with only one chamber; other 

 chambers have to be made for the accommodation 



