The badger, a stocky mammal found across diverse habitats in the Northern Hemisphere, is classified as an omnivore, including both animal and plant matter in its diet. The specific composition of its meals varies significantly depending on the species and its geographic location. For instance, the European badger (Meles meles) and the American badger (Taxidea taxus) have distinct dietary priorities despite their shared classification. This broad diet allows badgers to adapt to seasonal changes and local food availability.
Animal Matter in the Badger Diet
For some species, like the American badger, animal matter forms the majority of their food intake. The American badger is a specialized predator that primarily targets small, burrowing rodents, such as ground squirrels, prairie dogs, gophers, and mice. They actively hunt these mammals by digging them out of their underground tunnel systems. This species also includes reptiles, like snakes and lizards, as well as carrion.
The European badger’s diet also includes various animal sources, though it is less reliant on large vertebrate prey than its North American cousin. This species consumes smaller prey, including young rabbits, voles, shrews, and the eggs of ground-nesting birds. Insects and other invertebrates are also a significant source of protein, with badgers regularly consuming beetles, beetle larvae, and wasps.
The Primary Food Sources
The bulk of the European badger’s diet, in particular, is often composed of invertebrates and plant material. Earthworms are the single most substantial food item for the European badger, occasionally making up 50% to 80% of its total food mass. This reliance on earthworms is so pronounced that the distribution and behavior of the European badger are closely linked to the availability of this prey.
Plant matter provides necessary carbohydrates and nutrients, especially in the late summer and autumn. Badgers consume a variety of fruits and berries, such as apples, plums, and elderberries. They also forage for nuts, roots, and tubers, along with agricultural crops like grains, including oats, wheat, and maize. This part of their diet becomes important when earthworm availability decreases during dry periods or cold weather.
Foraging Strategies and Techniques
Both the American and European badgers possess a highly developed sense of smell, which is the primary tool they use to locate food, even prey that is deep underground. Their powerful front limbs and long, non-retractable claws are used for extensive digging, a behavior known as fossorial foraging. This allows them to excavate insect larvae, burrowing rodents, and earthworms from the soil.
The diet of badgers is subject to seasonal changes, reflecting the availability of different food types. In late summer and fall, badgers often switch their focus to fruits and grains, building up fat reserves necessary for winter. The American badger may also engage in cooperative hunting with coyotes, where the badger digs up prey and the coyote catches any rodents that flee above ground.