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Wind Cave National Park
Badger
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| NPS Photo by Tom Bean |
Badger - Taxidea taxus
Click picture for more information |
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Class
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Mammalia |
| Order |
Carnivora |
| Family |
Mustelidae, weasel family (long slender bodies, short legs) include skunks, mink, otter, weasel, martens, badger, wolverine. |
| Genus |
Taxidea |
| Species |
taxus |
Name/
History |
Marks on the face looks like a badge. |
Size
Weight (lbs) |
Male
17-25
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Female
13-20
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Young
Achieves
adult size
by fall
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| Height (in) |
22-28
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18-22
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| Tail (in) |
3-4 |
| Rut |
July-August, promiscuous |
| Gestation |
Delayed implantation, fetus does not develop until February |
| Birth |
February-May above ground by themselves in 4-5 weeks, but tire easily. If they are moved they are probably carried by mother. |
| # young |
2-5 |
| Age |
12 years |
Habitat/
Range |
Open grasslands, deserts. Lives in own burrow. Range northern Canada to central Mexico, Pacific coast to central lakes states.
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| Food |
Rodents, vegetation, birds |
| Enemies |
Man (occasionally coyotes) |
| Disease |
Rabies, tularemia |
| Communication |
Scent seems to play dominant role.
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Behavior/
Characteristics |
Mostly nocturnal, solitary. |
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Did You Know?
White Penstemon is the most widespread penstemon or beardtonue in the Great Plains. The insides of the blossoms are bearded and often spotted with purple.
more...
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Last Updated: August 10, 2007 at 17:06 EST |
