BADGER 



white; pelage on head much shorter than on body; a narrow 

 whitish stripe from muzzle to shoulders, and whitish patch on 

 face below eye and on ear; sides of muzzle, a spot in front of 

 ear, top of head, and back of ear dusky gray; fore- and hind 

 feet blackish. 



Underparts. — Yellowish white to soiled whitish, the pelage 

 much shorter than on back. 



Immature very similar to adults but generally less 

 grizzled. 



Measurements. — No marked difference in size between 

 sexes. Total length, 28 inches; tail vertebrae, 5.5 inches; hind 

 foot, 4 inches; weight, 13-14 pounds average up to maximum 

 of 23. 



Geographical Distribution. — Central North America from 

 Saskatchewan south. 



Food. — Small mammals such as Ground Squirrels, Prairie- 

 dogs, Mice, Pocket Gophers, etc.; birds and eggs; sometimes 

 insects. 



Enemies. — Probably able to avoid, under normal circum- 

 stances, the only animals powerful enough to prey upon it, 

 namely, the large carnivores. 



Species and Subspecies of the Genus Taxidea 



Common Badger. — Taxidea taxus taxus (Schreber). 



As described above. Found from about 55° latitude in 

 Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba south to Colorado 

 and Kansas, east to Michigan and west across the Rocky 

 Mountains. 



Colorado Badger. — Taxidea taxus phippsi Figgins. 



Resembling typical taxus but larger and darker. General 

 color as in taxus, but dark areas on head and face extensive 

 and black; white stripe down head and neck reaching to 

 shoulders. Total length, 30 inches; tail vertebrae, 5 inches; 

 hind foot, 4.7 inches. Found in southern Colorado, limits 

 of range unknown. 



Texas Badger; Mexican Badger. — Taxidea taxus berlandieri 

 (Baird). 

 Resembling typical taxus but with slightly more buff and 

 with the white line on head and neck running onto back 

 sometimes as far as tail. Found in the western half of Texas, 

 west through Arizona into southeastern California. 



California Badger; Western Badger. — Taxidea taxus neglecta 

 (Mearns). 

 Differing from typical taxus in having less black which is 

 replaced by dark brown or dusky ; upperparts grizzled gray 



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