Dining and Dwelling
Badgers can be found in dry, open prairies, grasslands, farmlands and parklands. They are a burrowing member 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 construction they may take over another animals' burrow, after eating the occupants. Because the badger is built for digging they are a master predator of ground dwelling animals such as ground hogs, 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.
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Life and Death
The leading causes of death are automobiles, shooting, poisoning and fur trapping. Because of it's fierce nature, powerful claws and large teeth, any animal smaller than a grizzly must take extreme care when attacking the badger. The badger is active by day in areas where it does not encounter people. This solitary animal is social only when it finds a mate between August and September. The badger has delayed implantation and as a result they become pregnant the next February. The female has 2-5 young between March and May, they are weaned at 2-3 months old and disperse at 5-6 months old.
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That's Amazing
- The American Badger is now considered to be an endangered species in Ontario.
-Badger hair is used to make shaving brushes and paint brushes. -Their eyes have a special membrane that protects them from dirt when digging. -The badger is so smart when hunting, that they know to plug all of their prey's doors but one before they proceed to dig it out.
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