New Mexico is home to a vibrant array of wildlife, including the American badger. Not many people know that New Mexico is the only state in the entire western United States where one can find American badgers. These animals are found on grassy plains and sagebrush-steppe areas and thrive among these habitats.
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Habitat
Badgers are well adapted to the rugged terrain of New Mexico and thrive in open grasslands and meadows very near to nearby woodlands. Due to their strong paws and sharp claws, badgers are capable of digging deep burrows that can extend several meters into the alluvial soil, which is a soft deposit of sediment found in floodplains. They usually live by themselves or with their close relatives, but they can band together around abundant sources of food such as mice, squirrels, and groundhogs.
Diet
Badgers are omnivores, meaning that they eat both plants and animals to get their nutrients. Their diet consists of insects, small animals like rodents, birds, eggs and reptiles, as well as a variety of plant matter such as fruits, roots, tubers and grasses. Badgers also enjoy a range of other food items like earthworms and even deer carcasses they come across in the wild. To hunt effectively in their nocturnal lifestyle, badgers have strong front claws and sharp teeth which they use to take down their prey. All these sources of food allow badgers to stay healthy in their diverse habitats throughout the world.
Colour
Most badgers in New Mexico have a brownish-grey colouring with a signature white stripe from nose to tail. They also possess two badge-like patches on either side of their face, flanked by a white stripe running across each cheek for extra emphasis.
Size, Lifespan and Weight
Badgers in New Mexico are usually between 24-30 inches in length, have an average weight of roughly 15-25 pounds, and can live for up to 9 years in the wild. However, some badger species can live up to 16 years in captivity.
Predators
Badgers in New Mexico face numerous predators in the wild, but their main enemy is the fox. Studies have shown that foxes are responsible for up to 90% of badger cub mortality and can be particularly aggressive during the spring cubbing season. Other wild predators include coyotes, wolves, raptors such as golden eagles and red-tailed hawks, dogs, weasels and various snakes.
Reproduction
Badgers in New Mexico reproduce by mating with the opposite sex, typically after a courtship period.
When successful mating has occurred, the female badger will produce a litter of three or four cubs approximately seven weeks later. The cubs are born blind and helpless, relying entirely on the care and protection of their parents.
They are weaned between 6-8 weeks after birth and will live in the same den until they are independent enough to move out and find their own territory at around eight months of age. Although badgers in New Mexico can mate year-round, most litters are born during spring or early summer so that the cubs can take advantage of warmer weather and an abundance of food resources before winter arrives.
Are there badgers in New Mexico?
Yes, they are present in New Mexico
Do badgers live in New Mexico
Yes, they do live in New Mexico and is a protected furbearer.
References:
https://www.nps.gov/whsa/learn/nature/american-badger.htm
A motivated philosophy graduate and student of wildlife conservation with a deep interest in human-wildlife relationships, including wildlife communication, environmental education, and conservation anthropology. Offers strong interpersonal, research, writing, and creativity skills.
