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badgers
Doting Christine Ian, 53, has been caring for her furry friends for over ten years and has even named all four of the creatures - and set them up on social media.
Christine Ian / SWNS
Every night she lays out tasty badger treats on decking in her garden and eagerly awaits for the animals to appear from the bushes in the darkness.
The creatures have become so familiar with Christine that she is now able to hand feed them biscuits and take pictures to share online.
Christine Ian / SWNS
Brilliant images show the badgers munching on a variety of snacks such as nuts, eggs, and dog food, and on Christmas Day Christine treated them to a traditional dinner.
Christine Ian / SWNS
On Shrove Tuesday this week she even put pancakes out for the short-legged omnivores.
The housewife from near Stockport, Greater Manchester, England, has named the dominant male and female of the family, who are both aged seven, Mr. and Mrs. Lumpy.
Christine Ian / SWNS
Their cub, who is now aged four, is called Humbug, and her cub is one-year-old Bella.
The furry family have a whopping 116,000 followers across all social media platforms.
Christine said:
"I class the badgers as my animal family, they're like my pets although obviously they are wild."
"They have the most brilliant characters, some are cheeky and some are more bold than others, just like cats or dogs."
"I feel like I know them and that they definitely know me too."
Christine Ian / SWNS
Christine keeps a detailed diary of the badgers' comings and goings and monitors what they get up to each every night.
In the past, when she has spotted one of them carrying an injury, she has arranged for them to receive veterinary attention.
Christine lives in a house that was built on an old badger den in a village surrounded by conservation woodland.
Christine Ian / SWNS
She said:
"We soon found a path running through the garden, it was a badger run, that's where our love affair started with these magnificent creatures."
"The years rolled by, feeding and watching the different generations that have visited has been quite magical."
"We've had the excitement of seeing new cubs being brought through."
Christine Ian / SWNS
Christine added:
"My relationship is magical especially now I can get the door open with them and literally be within inches of them."
"My favorite memories are when they bring their cubs to the garden at around three months old."
Dozens of other animals that inhabit the local area, including foxes, cubs, bats, and squirrels also visit Christine's luscious garden on a nightly basis.
In one video taken by the homeowner a handsome fox can be seen prowling in the background as three of the badgers eat from bowls on the decking.
Christine said she has even seen the occasional polecat, also known as the common ferret, strolling around the garden.
She raises funds for various badger charities and is a vociferous proponent of anti-badger-culling causes.
Follow Mr. and Mrs. Lumpy on social media here: https://www.facebook.com/MrLumpyFriends/