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Wind Cave National Park Badger
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Wind Cave National Park
Badger
Badger
NPS Photo by Tom Bean
Badger - Taxidea taxus
Click picture for more information
 

Class

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

Female
13-20

Young
 Achieves
adult size
by fall

Height (in)

22-28

18-22

 
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.

Food Rodents, vegetation, birds
Enemies Man (occasionally coyotes)
Disease Rabies, tularemia
Communication

Scent seems to play dominant role.

Behavior/
Characteristics
Mostly nocturnal, solitary.


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Last Updated: August 10, 2007 at 17:06 MST