Types of Badgers in Wyoming

The American badger (Taxidea taxus) is the sole badger species found in Wyoming, whether you're in Yellowstone, the Bighorn Mountains, or the Wind River country. There are no other native badger species in the state. The American badger is stocky, powerfully built, with short legs adapted for digging. Adults weigh 14 to 24 pounds and measure 20 to 27 inches long including the tail. The distinctive white stripe running from the nose over the forehead to the nape makes them instantly recognizable. Their fur is gray-brown on the back and whitish on the belly.

American badgers are unmistakable. Look for the bold white facial stripe, which is the most obvious feature. Their body is low and compact, built for burrowing rather than pursuit. The head is triangular and relatively small. Their legs are very short and powerful, ideal for digging. Fur on the back and sides is grizzled gray-brown, while the underside and throat are whitish or cream-colored. The tail is short and bushy. Their claws are extremely long, particularly on the front feet, an adaptation for excavating burrows and prey. Even at a distance, the white stripe and stocky build make them identifiable.

All badgers in North America north of Mexico are the American badger (Taxidea taxus). Badger species in Europe, Asia, and Africa are entirely different genera and do not occur wild in Wyoming or the rest of the United States. European badgers (Meles meles), for example, are larger and have different facial markings. Honey badgers (Mellivora capensis) occur in Africa and Asia. The American badger is unique to the Americas and is the only species you will encounter in Wyoming, whether in a national park, on private land, or in a national forest.

American badgers are perfectly suited to Wyoming's terrain and climate. Their powerful digging claws allow them to excavate burrows in soil, regardless of whether the ground is frozen in winter or hard-packed in summer. Their low, compact body fits easily into prairie dog burrows, ground squirrel holes, and other small mammal tunnels, where much of their hunting occurs. Their dense fur provides insulation against cold winters. Their short legs and wide stance keep them stable while maneuvering underground. Their keen sense of smell helps them locate prey hidden beneath the soil. All of these adaptations make the American badger the perfect badger for Wyoming's grasslands, shrublands, deserts, and mountain terrain.

While the American badger (Taxidea taxus) is recognized as one species, researchers historically identified several subspecies across North America based on minor geographic variation in size and coloration. In Wyoming, badgers may belong to subspecies such as Taxidea taxus taxus or other subspecies depending on the region, but these differences are subtle and not visible in the field. For practical purposes, all American badgers you see in Wyoming are the same species, and you will not be able to distinguish subspecies by looking at an animal.

American badgers are solitary animals except during mating season. They are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning they are most active at night and at dawn and dusk. Each badger maintains a territory that it marks with scent glands and defends against other badgers. Males have larger territories than females, and territories vary in size depending on prey availability. Badgers hunt alone, relying on their digging ability and stealth to catch rodents, rabbits, and other prey underground. You are unlikely to see more than one badger together unless it is a mother with her young kits in spring or a pair during the brief mating season.

American badgers are carnivorous and highly specialized for hunting burrowing animals. Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, voles, and mice are staple prey in Wyoming. Badgers will also eat rabbits, hares, and occasionally birds, frogs, and insects. They are relentless diggers and will excavate burrow systems to reach prey. In some areas, badgers follow coyotes, waiting for the larger predator to unearth prey, then the badger rushes in to capture it. This behavior is so common that badgers and coyotes are sometimes seen together. Badgers cache extra food in their burrows for later consumption.

In the wild, American badgers typically live 4 to 10 years, depending on prey availability, disease, and predation. Females generally live a bit longer than males. In captivity, where badgers are protected from predators and injury, they can live 15 to 20 years. Badgers face predation from larger predators like coyotes, mountain lions, and wolverines, though badgers are fierce and will defend themselves vigorously. Mortality from vehicles and human persecution also affects wild populations.

American badgers in Wyoming typically weigh 14 to 24 pounds, with males being slightly heavier than females on average. Body length, not including the tail, ranges from 16 to 20 inches, and the tail adds another 4 to 7 inches. Individuals in northern regions tend to be somewhat larger than those in southern areas, a pattern called Bergmann's rule. The largest badgers recorded have weighed up to 30 pounds, but this is rare. Relative to their body size, badgers are powerfully built and heavy, giving them a stocky, muscular appearance that emphasizes their digging prowess.