Wisconsin Symbols, Animal: Badger

Adopted on June 20, 1957.

The first European immigrants to arrive in Wisconsin found it desirable for the natural resources it offered. They began mining lead and galena to be used in shot for guns and paint. Miners who wanted to work through the winter found that the most useful shelters were their excavations. They added makeshift roofs or walls to complete them. Since these miners dig for their livelihoods and live in "burrows," they nicknamed them badgers. The term was later applied to all new settlers in the mining area and eventually to all who lived in Wisconsin

Although badgers have been associated with the coat of arms, the state flag, the University of Wisconsin, the official seal and Cornish miners since the days of the Wisconsin Territory, it was four elementary school students from Jefferson County who discovered the animal had no official status in Wisconsin.

Some northern legislators, however, wanted the white-tailed deer picked due to its strength, regal stature, and the economic value of deer hunting. In 1957 a compromise was reached, the American badger (Taxidea taxus) was named the state animal and the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was named the state "wildlife animal."

In 1957 a compromise was reached, the American badger (Taxidea taxus) was named the state animal and the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was named the state "wildlife animal." See Section 1.10 of the statutes. In Chapter 209, Laws of 1957, it named the badger the "state animal", and Chapter 147 designated the white-tailed deer as the state "wild-life animal".

The badgers are solitary most of the year and stay hidden inside their shallow dens during the day. They hunt mostly during the night and live in large open fields and grasslands extending between 400 and 600 acres. You can look for signs of the badger by looking for piles of dirt outside of a large burrow which they dig with their incredibly long thick claws. If you see a short, stocky animal with a small face staggering around in the grasslands, it could be a badger.

Physical Characteristics

Natural History

Food Habits

The badger subsists on a diet of small mammals, birds, reptiles and arthropods. Unlike many carnivores that stalk their prey in open country, the badger catches most of its food by digging. It can tunnel after ground dwelling rodents with amazing speed.

Reproduction

The reproduction in this species is quite interesting. Although mating occurs in early autumn, embryos are arrested early in development. Embryos are held in a sort of suspended animation until until December- February, when they implant into the uterine wall and resume their development. Thus, althought a female is technically pregant for 7 months, the embryos develop for a mere 6 weeks. Litters of 1-5 offspring are born in early spring. Females are able to mate when they are 4 months old, but males do not mate until the autumn of their second year.

Behavior

Badgers are solitary animals. Typical population density is about 5 animals per square kilometer. Males occupy larger home ranges than females (2.4 versus 1.6 square kilometers), but this species is not known to defend an exclusive territory. Badgers are mainly active at night, and tend to be inactive during the winter months. The badger is an excellent digging machine. Its powerfully built forelimbs allow it to tunnel rapidly through the soil, and aparently through other harder substances as well. There are anecdotal accounts of badgers emerging from holes they have excavated through blacktopped pavement and two inch thick concrete.

In soft soils, adults use their claws and teeth to move aside obstacles like a steam shovel, digging themselves into the ground and out of sight in a few minutes. Their dens may occupy old enlarged fox, coyote or woodchuck holes or newly dug, deep burrows up to 60 feet long.

Badgers prefer hunting in grassy openings. They consume a variety of prey such as mice, voles, chipmunks, ground squirrels, skunks, snakes, eggs and ground nesting birds. Carrion rounds out their diet. Some kills may be buried for later consumption.

When challenged or frightened, they will release a musky, skunk like scent. Courageous and territorial, badgers will attack if cornered. Other predators have difficulty grabbing this strong animal because it has a set of dense muscles forming a hidden protective collar around its neck and throat.

Habitat

Badgers are found principly in dry, open country.