American Badger Official
: The two predators often hunt together. The badger digs into the burrow, and the coyote waits above ground.
: If the squirrel stays inside, the badger gets it; if it bolts out to escape the digging, the coyote catches it. This teamwork increases the coyote’s catch rate by about 33%. Ecosystem Engineers American Badger
: By constantly tunneling, they aerate the soil and mix nutrients, which helps native plants thrive. A Symbol of Tenacity : The two predators often hunt together
A common misconception is that Wisconsin is called the "Badger State" because of the animal. The story is actually about humans: This teamwork increases the coyote’s catch rate by
: Despite their medium size (averaging 15–20 lbs), they are known to stand their ground against much larger predators like bears, wolves, and mountain lions .
: Their abandoned burrows provide critical shelter for burrowing owls , foxes, skunks, tiger salamanders, and even California red-legged frogs.
