American Badger (Taxidea taxus ssp jacksoni) - BTC Species of the Month, May 2011
Did you know?
Badgers
look a bit like raccoons but are members of the weasel family have a reputation of being bad- tempered and ferocious but are actually quite shy and would rather avoid confrontation occassionally cooperate with coyotes to catch rodents - a rare example of inter-species American Badger cooperative hunting behavior Photo credit: Richard Klafki (c/o Ontario are endangered in Ontario and Badgers) your sightings can help
Habitat: remnant tallgrass prairie, edges of Diet: groundhogs, ground nesting birds, frogs, farm fields or meadows, open grassy slopes, mice, seeds and nuts. sand barrens Weight: males: 9-11 kg; females: 7 kg Status: Endangered (in Ontario and BC) Length: 60 to 75 cm
Badgers on the Bruce Trail?
Badgers have not been spotted along the Bruce Trail, but some Niagara Escarpment habitats are just right for this elusive, endangered carnivore.
In Canada, the American badger is found mostly in the prairie provinces with small populations in BC and Ontario. In Ontario, there are small populations of badgers in Southern Ontario, in Grey and Bruce counties, and near Thunder Bay.
As you walk along the Bruce Trail and move from a forest to an open meadow or hayed field you may be Badger populations in Ontario
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
lucky enough to spot this elusive creature. Map credit: Ontario Badgers
Identification:
Badgers are raccoon-sized members of the weasel (mustelid) family.
Badgers have:
distinct facial markings with a white stripe from the nose to the back of the neck Gray-brown fur (occasionally with a yellow or reddish tinge) a wide "flattened" body with short legs a furry tail often held close to the body powerful front legs and long claws for digging
Photo credit: Jonathunder (wikipedia)
Badger Burrows & Digging
Badgers love to dig. Their front paws have long strong claws and their bodies are shaped to tunnel into the earth.
Badgers often have several dozen burrows in their territory which can extend up to 40 square kms. They don't like to stay in one place for long and after a few days move on to the next area and start to dig again. They will revisit old burrows in hopes of finding an unsuspecting
animal taking up residence. Badger burrow: If you see numerous holes in the ground with enormous piles of dirt in front of them and claw Badgers also dig to catch their prey. marks on the side of the hole then a badger is likely in the They will follow the trail of an animal to its den or hole than
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
area. quickly dig down to capture it.
Photo credit: Ontario Badgers
Badger Behavior
Badgers are mostly nocturnal and are very wary of people. Sightings are rare.
Badgers are mostly solitary animals and only become social during mating season.
Badgers do not hibernate but spend much more time in their den when it's cold. They are the second largest member of the weasel family and their closest relative is the Wolverine. Like other members in the weasel family, badgers:
produce a foul smelling spray to mark territories and to ward off threats delay the development of their embryos until late winter to take advantage of the increased food supply brought on by warmer Spring temperatures
Although they would prefer to avoid confrontation, badgers will become exceptionally bold and fearless if they are forced to protect themselves or their young. There are few who will stand up to a Badger.
Your sightings are important
Badgers are endangered in Ontario, with an estimated population of only 200 individuals in the province. Little research has been done on the badger and their true population and distribution is unknown.
Recent studies, undertaken by Ontario Badgers, are increasing the knowledge about this interesting predator.
You can help by reporting any sightings of badgers (including roadkill or burrows) to the: Ontario Badger Hotline 1-877-715-9299 [email protected] Ontario Badgers website: http://ontariobadgers.com
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]