The American Badger (Taxidea taxus) is a resident of Nebraska, found across the state in a variety of open environments. This mammal belongs to the weasel family (Mustelidae). Their presence is a natural part of the state’s ecosystem, particularly in areas dominated by grasslands and prairies. Understanding this burrowing carnivore requires recognizing its unique physical features and specialized adaptations for an underground existence.
Identifying the American Badger
The American Badger is recognizable by its broad, flattened body and low-slung, powerful build. They are medium-sized mammals, with adults weighing between 13 and 30 pounds and measuring 24 to 35 inches in total length. Their coarse fur is a grizzled mix of brown, black, and white, which provides effective camouflage against the dry grasses and soils of their preferred habitat.
A distinctive feature is the black and white facial pattern, which includes a white stripe extending from the nose over the top of the head. This stripe may continue down the back in southern populations, but in northern regions, it often terminates near the shoulders. The badger possesses extremely strong forelimbs and long, curved claws, which can measure up to two inches in length. These adaptations allow the animal to dig with exceptional speed and efficiency.
Typical Habitats and Range in Nebraska
The American Badger is found throughout Nebraska, though its distribution is most concentrated in areas with ample open space. They prefer habitats characterized by light to moderate cover, such as pastures, rangelands, and open agricultural fields. These environments are favored because they support large populations of the badger’s primary prey, burrowing rodents.
A requirement for their habitat is friable, or loose, soil, which makes it easier for them to excavate extensive burrows. They thrive in grasslands and prairies, especially where the soil is sandy or loamy. The presence of badgers is often indicated by the large mounds of soil they leave at the entrance of their dens. They are less common in densely forested or heavily urbanized areas, which offer fewer opportunities for foraging and digging.
Hunting Methods and Daily Behavior
Badgers are solitary animals that are most active during the night, though they are occasionally seen foraging during the day. Their lifestyle is centered around their exceptional ability to dig. Badgers are opportunistic carnivores, with their diet consisting mainly of burrowing rodents such as ground squirrels, pocket gophers, and prairie dogs.
When hunting, a badger uses its keen sense of smell to locate prey underground and then rapidly excavates the burrow to capture it. They can tunnel after prey quickly, sometimes digging a new, temporary burrow daily during the summer months. A badger may consume about two ground squirrels or pocket gophers daily to maintain its weight. In addition to rodents, their diet also includes insects, reptiles, and ground-nesting birds and their eggs.