Badger 
207 
The skull is easily distinguished from that of any other Colorado 
mammal by the peculiar wedge-shaped form, widest posteriorly, 
and the brain case is pronouncedly triangular in shape. The post- 
orbital constriction is marked; the occipital or lambdoidal crest 
very prominent, while, except in very old animals, the sagittal 
crest is nearly or wholly absent. 
The upper molar is triangular, apex at posterior, and is very 
tubercular. The upper carnassial has two large and two small 
cusps. Canines large and strong. 
Distribution. — The typical form of Taxidea taxus is found from 
58° north latitude south to Oklahoma, and from Wisconsin west to 
and into the Rocky Mountains. In Colorado it is found over the 
whole of the State up to timber-line. 
FIG. 66. BADGER, Taxidea taxus 
From life, E. R. Warren, Photo. 
Habits. — The Badger is a great digger, for which its long 
strong claws are well adapted, and obtains much of its food by 
digging various small animals from their burrows. Prairie- 
dogs, the various spermophiles, and ground squirrels all 
