FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



and dusky; white stripe on head and neck sometimes to 

 shoulders and even to rump; dark markings on head and 

 face dusky to blackish; underparts buffy; tail yellowish 

 brown above, paler beneath. Total length, 29 inches; tail 

 vertebrae, 5.4 inches; hind foot, 4 inches. Found in the 

 western states from Washington and Oregon south through 

 California. 



The low, squat form of the Badger, in conjunction with the 

 grizzled grayish color, white face markings, and long pelage, 

 is a field character which serves for easy identification of this 

 mammal. 



Badgers are creatures of the prairies, plains, and open 

 forests. They dig out much of their prey and the range of the 

 genus in North America coincides rather closely with the 

 region of greatest rodent abundance, the home of the Ground 

 Squirrels, Prairie-dogs, etc. The Badger does not go into 

 heavy stands of timber, for there would be little there which 

 he could hunt ; he can not climb and is not swift in the chase. 



Badgers are most active from late afternoon on, but may be 

 noted moving about at any hour of the day. The commonest 

 proof of their presence is the abundance of large holes they 

 dig. When these animals dig out a Ground Squirrel or a 

 Gopher they make a large, deep hole which may remain open 

 for a matter of several years before rains or other natural 

 causes fill it in. Badgers are industrious and where hunting 

 has been good badger-holes are thick. Ranchmen are often 

 annoyed by these rodent hunters when they excavate in the 

 alfalfa fields or sink pits where a saddle Horse may be tripped 

 and have a leg broken. The redeeming feature of this Badger 

 activity is that each hole means the death of one or more 

 rodent enemies of the rancher. 



The Badger is a fearless little beast and when caught away 

 from a hole turns upon an enemy with such snarling fury that 

 it commands immediate respect. It is very tough and tena- 

 cious of life. Blows that would kill the ordinary mammal 

 produce no effect upon a Badger. The heavy pelage is prob- 

 ably some protection to the animal under such circumstances, 

 but its compact, muscular build enables it to withstand terrific 

 shocks. If the Badger is allowed only a moment to dig, it needs 

 no weapon of defense, for it can disappear below the surface in 

 a surprisingly short time. 



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