Denalidaze
7I8A0540 an American Badger in Yellowstone National Park
I have long had this creature on my Bucket List of shots I wanted to capture. My husband took a trip to YNP with a friend and was able to spot a badger burrow. I was so envious when he came home with a few shots. On one outing, I saw a badger moving through the weeds with the tail showing, but never did I get the full view. Finally in 2021 I found my first Badger family.
The location was in YNP near Lamar Valley. I spent many hours watching for some action. Mom, (the sow) often peeked out of the burrow (setts) to check out the photographers. The American Badger is a nocturnal hunter. They are fossorial carnivores, as they catch a large portion of food when they tunnel after rodents with great speed. This badger was a solitary, with only one home. Mom had three cubs (kits), but on the day of filming, a coyote had capture one baby. The next day, another cub disappeared. Mom was very attentive, and would pull the badger out for daily grooming. I think she actually felt safer with the photographer watching her home. When Mom did leave the burrow, I was shocked to see her long body (which can be 23-30 inches long and can weigh 14-19 lbs. for females and the bore can weigh more). I never saw the male.
They have powerful front claws and can run 16-19 mph for a short distance. They eat coyotes and other small mammals, with added protein from worms and bugs. The grizzled black-brown and white pelts are used for shaving brushes and paint brushes. The America Indian along with other groups often ate the meat from the badger.
7I8A0540 an American Badger in Yellowstone National Park
I have long had this creature on my Bucket List of shots I wanted to capture. My husband took a trip to YNP with a friend and was able to spot a badger burrow. I was so envious when he came home with a few shots. On one outing, I saw a badger moving through the weeds with the tail showing, but never did I get the full view. Finally in 2021 I found my first Badger family.
The location was in YNP near Lamar Valley. I spent many hours watching for some action. Mom, (the sow) often peeked out of the burrow (setts) to check out the photographers. The American Badger is a nocturnal hunter. They are fossorial carnivores, as they catch a large portion of food when they tunnel after rodents with great speed. This badger was a solitary, with only one home. Mom had three cubs (kits), but on the day of filming, a coyote had capture one baby. The next day, another cub disappeared. Mom was very attentive, and would pull the badger out for daily grooming. I think she actually felt safer with the photographer watching her home. When Mom did leave the burrow, I was shocked to see her long body (which can be 23-30 inches long and can weigh 14-19 lbs. for females and the bore can weigh more). I never saw the male.
They have powerful front claws and can run 16-19 mph for a short distance. They eat coyotes and other small mammals, with added protein from worms and bugs. The grizzled black-brown and white pelts are used for shaving brushes and paint brushes. The America Indian along with other groups often ate the meat from the badger.