What Does an American Badger Look Like?
American badgers have a triangular face with a distinct black-and-white pattern, which includes a black patch on each cheek and a white stripe that runs from its nose to the back of its head. They have a stout, flat body with short legs and long front claws designed for digging. Their fur is primarily tan or white, but the black and brown guard hairs give them a grizzled appearance. American badgers can grow up to 2-3 feet long and weigh up to 30 pounds.
Behavior & Habits
Badgers are strong diggers that can tunnel through roads and thin concrete. These solitary animals spend most of their time digging burrows to locate prey and construct underground dens. Badgers dig multiple burrows for sleeping and raising young. During the winter, badgers go into a state of inactivity, but they are not true hibernators. Other animals often take over their abandoned burrows and use them as den sites.
Humane Badger Removal in Milwaukee, WI
Badgers are a protected species in Wisconsin. Badgers that are causing damage may be trapped and removed if the Wisconsin DNR has issued a permit.
Contact the certified wildlife removal specialists at Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control to discuss options for resolving your badger problem, including the issuance of a nuisance animal removal permit. We practice humane badger removal techniques that ensure the safe capture and release of the animal.
Badger Damage
Badger burrowing can pose a serious threat to lawns, fields, and roads. Their digging can damage dams and ditches, resulting in flooding. Badgers can also cause erosion and the collapse of roads when they dig into the shoulders of roads. Additionally, badgers will occasionally prey on livestock and poultry. They are also susceptible to rabies and canine distemper.
Badger Prevention
Badgers can excavate a substantial amount of soil and leave large burrow holes that damage lawns and crop fields. Habitat modification and exclusion are difficult since badgers prefer open lands. If a small area like a deck or shed needs protection, our heavy-duty mesh fencing can keep them out. We bury the fencing 12 to 18 inches deep and out to prevent the badger from burrowing underneath. Contact our wildlife specialists for badger removal and exclusion today!
Badger FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What do badgers eat?
Badgers are omnivores that mainly prey on ground squirrels, moles, mice, rabbits, and other small mammals. They dig their prey out of the ground with their strong, sharp claws. They will also eat snakes, birds, frogs, insects, and occasionally plants such as corn or berries.
Where do badgers live?
Badgers prefer to live in open areas such as pastures, prairies, farmlands, and meadows. While badgers can be found statewide, they are most common in western and central Wisconsin. A badger’s den consists of a network of tunnels and chambers. The entrance tends to have a large amount of displaced soil around it and is about 10 to 12 inches wide. These dens serve various purposes, such as sleeping, hunting, storing food, and giving birth.
When do badgers have babies?
American badgers mate in late summer and usually give birth to two to three cubs between March and June the following spring. The young are weaned at about three months of age. They will remain with the female through the summer, and then they leave to find their own territories. The American badger is a solitary animal except during the mating season.
How long do badgers live?
The average lifespan of an American badger in the wild is three to five years. Bobcats, cougars, wolves, and bears prey upon badgers, but humans pose the greatest threat to this species. Automobiles and farm equipment tend to be the major causes of death.
What does badger poop look like?
Badgers typically cover their scat, so it is not often found. The animal’s diet heavily determines the appearance and size of badger poop. A high intake of worms results in wet, soft, sausage-shaped poop. If you suspect the droppings around your home may be from a badger, their distinct sweet odor can be a telltale sign.
What do badger tracks look like?
Badgers walk in a pigeon-toed fashion, so their tracks point inward. They have large paws, which leave wide and blocky imprints. The front tracks measure 2-3 inches long and 2 inches wide. The front claws are very long and extend about an inch ahead of their toes, leaving noticeable marks. The hind tracks are slightly smaller, and the rear claw marks usually do not make an imprint.
Illustration by Dan Goodman