MAMMAL MONDAY # 7

MAMMAL MONDAY #7

It’s just another Mammal Monday, but today’s animal isn’t just another ordinary animal. Actually, are there any ordinary animals? We think they’re all special! This animal, that is part of the same family as the weasel lives in the Americas, but it has some close cousins in Europe and Africa! So who is it?

MEET THE AMERICAN BADGER!

Range/Habitat: South Canada-USA-N Mexico/grasslands and farms

Diet: Carnivore: small mammals, snakes

Length/Weight: 16-28”/8 ½ -26 lbs

Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

• The American Badger is smaller than its Eurasian cousin.
• They are solitary animals and nocturnal.
• American badgers have large claws on their front paws. They use to them to dig burrows and to dig out prey.
• They are known to use a different den each night during the summer months.
• American badgers do not hibernate but are less active in winter.
• They have a musky smell.

American Badgers are known as efficient predators and to have bad dispositions. They are also beneficial to farmers because they help keep the rodent population down. Even though they smell have a bad reputation, we think they’re pretty awesome!