The Badger. The Animals of British Columbia, Canada - BC Adventure Network


Badger
Beaver
Bighorn Mountain Sheep
Black Bear
Bobcat
California Sea Lion
Caribou
Chipmunk
Cougar
Coyote
Dall's Porpoise
Deer
Elk
Grey Whale
Grey Wolf
Grizzly Bear
Humpback Whale
Killer Whale
Lynx
Marmot
Marten
Mink
Mountain Goat
Moose
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Porcupine
Raccoon
Red Fox
Red Squirrel
Sea Otter
Striped Skunk
Wolverine

Animals
Birds
Fish
Wildflowers
Trees
Survival
Parks
Trails





British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide

Badger
Taxidea taxus

Description - This stout, shaggy animal is the largest of the weasel family with only the wolverine exceeding it's size. Its coat is a grizzled grey to brown with a white stripe from upturned snout to shoulder. The tail is short, bushy and yellowish; the cheeks white with dark patches; the ears small and the feet dark with large foreclaws. The male is larger than the female weighing usually 7-25 pounds.

Distribution - The badger prefers open plains, farmlands and the edges of woods. They range throughout southeast British Columbia and a studfy in 1990 concluded that only 300-1000 badgers likely occurred.

Biology - 2-5 blind young are born in March or April. They feed on squirrels, pocket gophers, rats and mice which they usually capture by digging out their burrows. They also eat birds, invertebrates, and carrion and are fond of rattlesnake; they are apparently unharmed by the venom unless the snake strikes its nose. A very ferocious animal, the badger has few enemies. Its hair is used to make the best quality paintbrushes, and the coarse bristles were formerly used in shaving brushes. Forest succession and encroachment into grasslands is reducing the habitat of the badger, an animal vital in controlling rodent populations.

Badger Tracks

Tracks - These pigeon-toed creatures have powerful feet and long claws on the front paws which are prominent in most prints. The foot is made up of a series of small pads. During the winter the body of the badger drags on the snow leaving a trough of sorts.

Straddle: 10 - 18 cm (4 - 7 in)
Stride: 15 - 30 cm (6 - 12 in)
Track: Front - 6 cm (2.4 in) long / 5 cm (2 in) wide
Track: Rear - 5 cm (2 in) long / 5 cm (2 in) wide


Follow Us On Facebook


List of BC Adventure
Advertisers

Site Info
Advertise With Us
Awards
About Us
Contact Us
Free Vacation Guides
BC Vacation Guides
Coastal Vacations
Thompson Okanagan
EcoTourism
Fishing Vacations
Guest Ranch Guide
Romantic Getaways
Wilderness Vacations
Winter Vacations
The Rockies Guide
Login







The Badger. The Animals of British Columbia, Canada - BC Adventure Network