| Because the badger is built for digging they are a master predator of ground dwelling animals such as groundhogs, rabbits, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, snakes, voles, mice and ground nesting birds. When food is scarce the badger is not opposed to eating grubs, caterpillars, insects, eggs, carrion or garbage scraps. Badgers can be found in dry open prairies, grasslands, farmlands and parklands. They are a burrowing memeber of the weasel family and prefer clay and sandy soils. They often dig a burrow that is 3 m (10 ft) deep and 10 m (30 ft) wide. To save on the costs of constructions they have been known to take over another creature's burrow after eating the occupant. |
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The badger is active by day in areas where it does not encounter people. This normally solitary animal is only social when it finds a mate between August and September. The badger has delayed implantation and as a result they become pregnant the following February. The female has 2-5 young between March and May, they are weaned at 2-3 months of age and disperse at 5-6 months of age. The leading causes of death are the automobile, shooting, poisoning and fur trapping. Because of its fierce nature, powerful claws and large teeth, any animal smaller than a grizzly must take extreme care when attacking the badger. |
