American Badger: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Raccoons, Skunks and Badgers · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. American badgers sometimes hunt side by side with a coyote. Researchers found the coyote's catch rate goes up by about 33%.
2. Why it works: a ground squirrel hides in its hole from a coyote, but pops out and runs from a badger. With both around, it has no safe choice.
3. Built to dig, it has front claws up to 5 cm long, bristles on its ears and an extra inner eyelid.
4. It does not hibernate. Instead, it may spend much of the winter in deep resting spells that last around 29 hours each.
5. Its old burrows become homes for others: foxes, skunks, burrowing owls and even tiger salamanders move in.

The quiz

1. Which animal sometimes hunts as a team with the American badger?

• Golden eagle
• Coyote (correct)
• Cougar
• Bobcat

Badgers and coyotes have been seen hunting in tandem.

2. What does a ground squirrel do when it spots a badger?

• Dives deeper into its hole
• Freezes and plays dead
• Calls the coyote
• Climbs out of its hole and runs (correct)

It climbs out and uses its speed to outrun the badger.

3. How long can an American badger's front claws grow?

• Up to 5 cm (correct)
• Up to 1 cm
• Up to 20 cm
• Up to 50 cm

Its huge front claws measure up to 5 cm.

4. What does the American badger do in winter?

• It migrates south
• It hibernates without a break
• It goes through resting spells of about 29 hours (correct)
• It moves up into trees

It does not hibernate but has cycles of torpor of around 29 hours.

5. Which bird may move into an old badger burrow?

• Woodpecker
• Burrowing owl (correct)
• Bald eagle
• Hummingbird

Burrowing owls are among the animals that use abandoned badger burrows.

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