: Their abandoned burrows provide critical shelter for burrowing owls , foxes, skunks, tiger salamanders, and even California red-legged frogs.
A common misconception is that Wisconsin is called the "Badger State" because of the animal. The story is actually about humans:
: Ground squirrels are tricky. If they see a coyote, they run into their burrows. If they see a badger, they run out of their burrows to outrun the slow badger. American Badger
: 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 .
One of the most fascinating "useful" stories in nature is the hunting partnership between the American badger and the coyote. : Their abandoned burrows provide critical shelter for
: The two predators often hunt together. The badger digs into the burrow, and the coyote waits above ground.
: They have thick, loose skin and muscular necks, making it very difficult for a predator to get a solid grip on them. The "Badger State" Origin If they see a coyote, they run into their burrows
Badgers are considered "ecosystem engineers" because their intense digging creates homes for many other species.