Arizona has badgers! You may have never seen one, which is not a surprise, and, you may never have seen one of their den entrances either. Since they are mostly nocturnal and spend most of the day underground, probably the majority of Arizonans, visitors, and even Law Enforcement personnel-who may be out all hours of the day or night, will rarely if ever see one. Some have reported seeing them in the early morning or early evening. During the cooler weather, they will, here in southern Arizona, stay underground for longer periods of time but probably never really hibernate because winters are not that consistently severe.
Across the U.S., there are at least 4 species of badgers. They are part of the weasel family with relatives like wolverines, weasels, fisher cats, otters, etc. Badgers are primarily carnivores and tend to hunt and dig out rodents, insects, and, if need be, plants.
Badgers are voracious diggers. If you have never come upon a “badger hole” or den entrance, then you will be surprised the first time you come upon a hole in the ground that can measure 10-16” across with very large mounds of dirt in front and/or around the entrance. Because badgers are short legged and can flatten their body very low to the ground, have extremely long claws (which are very efficient for digging), and actually a little bow-legged, they are well suited to a life of digging into and expanding a rodent tunnel in pursuit of a meal. Sometimes they will expand a rodent hole to become their den and, other times, just dig until they capture the rodent and leave a large mound of dirt with a large entrance hole as their “calling card,” which shows they have been working that area.
Recently, 1st Response Wildlife followed up on a referral from a pest control company which reported large holes and lots of fresh dirt around a cement pad and under a sidewalk and trailer near the Mexican border at a Border Patrol outpost. Upon inspection, 1st Response Wildlife determined the den holes were those of a badger. Since badgers, except during mating season, are mostly solitary animals, the choice was made to set just a few traps to capture and remove/relocate what was determined to be a single badger that had really become a nuisance. (The cement pad had tunnels running extensively underneath it and it had already cracks from one end to the other where a cave-in was imminent. The sidewalk and area under the trailer were also dug up to a point where dirt was piled almost to the bottom of the trailer from the ground up.)
Traps were set and the badger was caught. (see below)
Since the badger had become a real nuisance, the decision was made to relocate it to a site where there were lots of rodents-plenty of food, and a long way from its Border location.
Badgers can be dangerous and, if challenged by humans, or pets, really do some damage. Badgers growl before they attack to try and get whatever they consider is challenging them to reconsider bothering them further. However, attack they will, as you can see this badger charging the trap after an extended period of growling-from the YouTube video below. Even though the average badger in southern Arizona will probably not be any larger than 15-20lbs, a dog of almost any size would be no match for its claws. The badger growls and then attacks the trap in the video-also note the long non-retractable claws.
This badger was taken to a new home with plenty of food nearby. (see below)
By the time it was ready to be released, this badger was in a hurry to bug out. (see, in the YouTube video how fast it runs but, at the last frame in the video, it stops and looks back to make sure it is safe and can start looking for and digging its new home.)
1st Response Wildlife works hard to work with homeowners, business people, and, in this case, the Border Patrol Officers, to understand wildlife concerns and, if necessary and, after inspection and discussion, humanely capture and relocate nuisance wildlife.
If you have any wildlife questions, issues with nuisance wildlife, please do not hesitate to give 1st Response Wildlife a call.
Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife
Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517
Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7. Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!
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