American Badger

• Scientific Name: Taxidea taxus
• Niimíipuu Name: Si'ki

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Description:

Badgers are known for their traits that allow them to burrow in the ground for resting, denning, and pursuing prey. They are built low to the ground, like skunks, and have a white stripe on their forehead and white cheeks. However, they lack the white stripe down their back. Their bodies are stout, compact, and heavy with partially webbed toes and long claws, all of which aid in digging.

Badgers are carnivores that feed on ground squirrels, prairie dogs, marmots, and pocket gophers. Burrowing helps them reach their preferred prey. They have also been seen eating dead animals, insects, reptiles, birds, and other small mammals.

Badgers are nocturnal and solitary for most of the year but come together during the breeding season in late summer and early fall. Females give birth in the spring and can be seen above ground during the day with their young. Litters range from one to five pups and stay in the underground dens until they are 3 months old and stay with their mother until 6 months old. Badgers can grow to be 11 pounds.

Nez Perce Hunting

In the summer months, the Nez Perce moved to higher altitudes to set up temporary camps. They gathered roots, fished, and hunted big and small game including rabbit, squirrel, marmot, and badger. Badger was also hunted when boys were being taught how to hunt.

The American Badger is part of the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, otters, ferrets, and wolverines. The species name for badger is Taxidea taxus, with four different subspecies: T. t. taxus, T. t. jacksoni, T.t. jeffersoni, and T. t. berlandieri. T. t. taxus is found in the central U.S. and T. t. jeffersoni is found in the western U.S., both areas found along the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail. But be careful! Badgers are aggressive. Do not approach them in the wild.

Sources:

Idaho Fish & Game. American Badger. March 2021. https://idfg.idaho.gov/species/taxa/16549

Montana Field Guide.  American Badger — Taxidea taxus.  Montana Natural Heritage Program and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  March 2021. http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=AMAJF04010

Moor, Evan. 2003. History Pockets: Native Americans Grades 1-3. Evan Moor Educational Publishers.

Rieser, M. H. 2016. The American Badger. National Park Service- White Sands Monument. https://www.nps.gov/whsa/learn/nature/upload/The_American_Badger_04_03_16_-2MB_PDF.pdf

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. American Badger (Taxidea taxus). March 2021. https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/taxidea-taxus#climate