North American Badger (
Taxidea taxus)
Badger with coyotes.
Badger vs. snake.
The North American badger is much more fierce and solitary than it's European cousin. It is found primarily in the great plains region, although its range has expanded greatly since the start of the 20th century, and it is now found in Canada. They have few natural enemies other than man, and can easily outfight a dog. They can dig through very hard dirt, and there are even anecdotal accounts of badgers digging through pavement and concrete. Unlike the European badger, which is a forager, the American badger hunts its prey, eating mainly small rodents that it uncovers by digging. Coyotes have been known to stand around while badgers dig for their meals, grabbing whatever escapes the badgers grasp. This relationship appears to be a symbosis, although it is unclear what the badger gets out of it. Coyotes have even been observed attempting to initiate play with the badger, who is generally not interested. Occasionally coyotes prey upon young badgers, but their relationship is usually a mutually benifical one. North American Badgers also eat poisonous snakes. Their thick, loose skin is too difficult for the snake to pierce, and the badger is practically invincible against the snake unless it is bitten directly on the nose.
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