The Coyote (Canis latrans) and the American Badger (Taxidea taxus) are two carnivores that share a vast geographical range across the North American prairie. The nature of their interaction is highly unusual among species that share the same ecological niche. Despite competing for the same food sources, they have developed a specialized way to interact.
Predation Dynamics: Are Badgers Coyote Prey?
Coyotes generally do not view badgers as a regular food source, and the two animals rarely engage in direct conflict. The badger is a formidable opponent, possessing a thick hide, loose skin, and razor-sharp claws that make it a costly target for any lone coyote. Furthermore, the badger’s primary defensive strategy involves rapidly burrowing into the ground to create an instant, fortified shelter.
This ability makes any attempt at predation risky and often fruitless. Predation events are highly opportunistic and uncommon, usually involving multiple coyotes attacking a younger or weaker animal. Such rare instances are typically observed when the coyotes’ usual food sources, such as carrion or small rodents, are scarce.
The Cooperative Hunting Strategy
The most distinctive aspect of their relationship is a mutualistic hunting association, frequently observed across their shared range for capturing burrowing rodents. This collaboration relies on complementary hunting styles: the badger excavates tunnels to flush out prey, while the coyote is a swift runner adept at intercepting animals above ground.
During a joint hunt, the badger forces the prey to make a difficult choice by digging into the burrow system. If the rodent flees above ground, the coyote intercepts it; if it remains underground, the badger captures it. Coyotes hunting with a badger can experience up to a one-third increase in hunting success. The badger also saves energy, as the coyote’s presence often forces prey to move, reducing excavation costs.
These hunting associations are generally short-lived and non-obligatory. The pairing is typically one badger with one coyote, driven by efficiency as the combined strategy increases the vulnerability of their shared prey.
Shared Habitat and Resource Competition
Coyotes and badgers coexist across the open grasslands and prairies of Western North America, where their ranges overlap extensively. Both species rely heavily on small mammals and rodents, which naturally creates competition for food resources. The non-obligatory nature of their hunting partnership highlights this underlying competition.
Despite their cooperation, the animal that makes the kill typically consumes the meal; they do not actively share the spoils. Cooperation is merely a strategy to increase the likelihood that at least one of them secures a meal. The balance between competition and cooperation shifts based on food abundance.
During warmer seasons when prey is active, the energy-saving benefits of the temporary alliance outweigh the costs of potential competition.