Social grooming

The trail camera near the badger sett has given some remarkably intimate views of badger behaviour.  Badgers spend a lot of time scratching and grooming themselves but there are areas they can't reach.  For those they rely on fellow clan members in a process known as social grooming or allo-grooming.  The process is initiated by one badger and only continues if it is reciprocated.  Unlike some other animals such as primates, badgers don't score points for offering grooming and don't do it to improve their social standing within the clan.  These three itchy badgers were engaged in self-grooming and allo-grooming after emerging from the sett and before going off foraging..

The episode went on for several minutes.  Here is a short video of the highlights.

And here is the complete episode.  See if you can watch it without scratching.