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Twins
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (21378) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2010-06-24 |
| Categories: Mammals |
| Camera: Canon 40D, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS |
| Exposure: f/10.0, 1/800 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2010-10-11 10:59 |
| Viewed: 3540 |
| Points: 30 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This pair of young American Badgers were found in the Bison Paddock in Waterton Lakes National Park when we were there in June of this year.
American Badger
Taxidea taxus
>
General Description
By Gustave J. Yaki
The American Badger, one of the larger members of the Weasel Family, has become increasingly rare throughout most of its range. This includes most of the central and southwestern half of North America, north from central Mexico to southeastern British Columbia; Alberta and Saskatchewan north to about the 54th parallel; southwestern Manitoba; and presumably still in extreme southwestern Ontario. It has a larger counterpart in the Old World.
Man is about the only enemy of this species. Besides hunting and trapping (the fur has little value), they also frequently are run over by vehicles. Perhaps the biggest reason for their decline is their fragmented landscape. Their main diet consists of ground squirrels. Colonies of those species are increasingly becoming further apart, therefore ready access to their food supply is decreasing.
Badgers appear to have a broad, flattened body. The effect is exaggerated by their short legs and the fringe of long guard hairs along the flanks. Their small head is broad between the ears and tapered to the pointed snout. The front feet are equipped with long, ivory-coloured toes, ideal for excavation. It is said that they are able to dig downward faster than two men armed with shovels can, in an attempt to get at them.
The face of this species is singularly attractive. A narrow white stripe runs from the tip of its nose to the back of the head. The rest of the snout and the top of the head is dark. White areas surround the eyes and ears (which are trimmed with black), with narrow black crescents between them. The back, sides and most of the relatively short tail are a grizzled grey, often with a ripple-like pattern. The feet and the tip of tail are dark.
Average measurements for British Columbia males which tend to be the largest Canadian subspecies are: length, 800 mm (28 in); tail, 142 mm (5.5 in); weight, 6 kg (13.2 lb). Females are smaller.
Badgers are solitary except during the mating season, August and September. They inhabit the open prairies, aspen parkland and farmlands, avoiding continuous woodlands, often trotting across long distances. Individuals in the northern part of their range are said to "hibernate", at least for the worst of the winter. More likely, it is just an extended sleep. Where they live near humans, they are primarily nocturnal, but if hungry may be seen abroad during the day. As previously alluded, they feed on rodents, mainly ground squirrels, obtained by digging them out of their den. Coyotes often follow them, perhaps in hope of catching the rodent as it comes out the back entrance. Other food items are pocket gophers, prairie-dogs, kangaroo rats, pocket mice and meadow voles. They also eat ground-nesting birds, snails, insects and sometimes carrion. Apparently they have a fondness for honey. There is also a report of one killing a rattlesnake.
After the late summer mating, the developing embryo goes into a restive stage, not implanting until mid-February. The two to five, blind young are born from late May to mid-April at the end of a 10 m (33 ft) long den, 3 m (10 ft) below ground. Their eyes open at 30 days. They are weaned when half-grown, eating food brought to the den by the mother, until she takes them out at night to hunt. The young frolic near the den mouth in early summer. They disperse when three-quarters grown. Some of the young females reach sexual maturity the first autumn, but most not until the next year. |
Argus, Heaven, siggi, eqshannon, CeltickRanger, goldyrs, haraprasan, boreocypriensis, uleko, Pitoncle has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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| Discussions |
| Thread | Thread Starter |
Messages |
Updated |
| Animal Behaviour | ingridshaul |
1 |
10-12 01:54 |
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- Argus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(50626) - [2010-10-11 12:01]
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Hello Rick,
A great capture of a pair of young American Badgers staring at the photohrapher while they are waiting at their set.
The eye contact is great and the subjects are seeen with excellent sharpness and colours in theit natural habitat.
Thanks for sharing this fine scene Rick,
Ivan
Hello Rick,
Beautiful pair captured with great details and natural colours in their natural environment. Well done!
Regards,
Mircea
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- Heaven
(7912)
- [2010-10-11 12:57]
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Dear Rick!
You present us a fine picture of this cute animal that was unknown to me. I like their pose and the natural environment shown in the picture very much. Together with the very interesting and detailed notes it's a valuable post and perfect contribution to TN.
Kind regards
Markus
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- siggi
(52850)
- [2010-10-11 13:08]
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Hello Rick,
lovely and excellent shot of these American Badgers with nice composition, details and colours.Best regards Siggi
Great Rick. I don't believe I have seen this one before and it's a beauty! Wonderful timing...Happy Canadian Thanksgiving.
Bpob
hello Rick
beautiful photo of these lovely wild animals,
the fine frontal POV it gives a beautiful eye-contact,
with excellent focus sharpness and details, TFS
Asbed
An awesome shot, Rick!
Very well framed!
I love the look they're givin you!
Cheers!
Goldy
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- foozi
(25839)
- [2010-10-12 0:56]
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Hello Rick,
such a cute view of the lively creature. The environment is well composed. I like the inclusion of the grass as it shows the environment.
Nicely composed shot.
Regards,
Foozi
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- PeterZ
(49139)
- [2010-10-12 1:49]
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Hello Rick,
Great photo of these American Badgers. Excellent sharpness, details and beautiful natural colours. Nice to see them in their natural environment. Attractive eye contact. Good POV and composition.
Regards,
Peter
Dear friend Rick
I am delighted to see a badger during the day!! Thank you for showing this interesting document on TrekNature.
Previously I have seen only grown-up Animals in England at night...
I like your picture very much because you include the habitat.
I wish you a nice day (here it is 43 C, and it is only spring!!)
Warm Regards
Ingrid
Hi Rick,
A nice capture of these juvenile American Badgers. Good sharp details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Hi my friend Rick,
An incredible capture of these lovely beauties:). As if they are talking to us:). They seems very cozy. Great composition, exposure and effective POV. Well taken MF!
TFS and have a nice night!
Cheers,
Bayram
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- uleko
(10940)
- [2010-10-13 5:40]
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Hello Rick,
How unusual to see Badgers in bright sunshine! A lovely capture seeing them both staring straight at you. Great focus, sharp details and beautiful light and colours. Well done!
TFS and best regards, Ulla
Bonjour Rick,
Agréable publication valorisant bien les sujets dans leur environnement par l'appréciation de la finesse des détails.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard
nice badgers, TFS ORi
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