Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of
Conservation
Common Name: BADGER
Phylum: CHORDATA
Class: MAMMALIA
Order: CARNIVORA
Family: MUSTELIDAE
Genus: TAXIDEA
Species: TAXUS
SubSpecies: TAXUS
Taxonomic Authority: (SCHREBER)
Taxonomy References: 003 , 006 , 002
FURBEARER
GAME
STATE RANK SU
Status References: 009 , 001 , 014
"Occurs in open land, including prairie, permanent pasture, hayfields and rowcrops."
Primary Habitat: "Grassland(matrix)"
References: 003 , 007 , 008 , 001
"Occurs sparsely throughout most of state, most common in prairie regions in northern and western Missouri *01*"
| Known | Likely | Unknown | Not Likely | Historic | Extirpated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAIR | BOLLINGER | BUTLER | |||
| ANDREW | CAMDEN | MISSISSIPPI | |||
| ATCHISON | CARTER | NEW MADRID | |||
| AUDRAIN | DOUGLAS | PEMISCOT | |||
| BARRY | LAWRENCE | SCOTT | |||
| BARTON | MARIES | ||||
| BATES | MILLER | ||||
| BENTON | RIPLEY | ||||
| BOONE | SHANNON | ||||
| BUCHANAN | ST. FRANCOIS | ||||
| CALDWELL | STE. GENEVIEVE | ||||
| CALLAWAY | WASHINGTON | ||||
| CAPE GIRARDEAU | WAYNE | ||||
| CARROLL | |||||
| CASS | |||||
| CEDAR | |||||
| CHARITON | |||||
| CHRISTIAN | |||||
| CLARK | |||||
| CLAY | |||||
| CLINTON | |||||
| COLE | |||||
| COOPER | |||||
| CRAWFORD | |||||
| DADE | |||||
| DALLAS | |||||
| DAVIESS | |||||
| DEKALB | |||||
| DENT | |||||
| DUNKLIN | |||||
| FRANKLIN | |||||
| GASCONADE | |||||
| GENTRY | |||||
| GREENE | |||||
| GRUNDY | |||||
| HARRISON | |||||
| HENRY | |||||
| HICKORY | |||||
| HOLT | |||||
| HOWARD | |||||
| HOWELL | |||||
| IRON | |||||
| JACKSON | |||||
| JASPER | |||||
| JEFFERSON | |||||
| JOHNSON | |||||
| KNOX | |||||
| LACLEDE | |||||
| LAFAYETTE | |||||
| LEWIS | |||||
| LINCOLN | |||||
| LINN | |||||
| LIVINGSTON | |||||
| MACON | |||||
| MADISON | |||||
| MARION | |||||
| MCDONALD | |||||
| MERCER | |||||
| MONITEAU | |||||
| MONROE | |||||
| MONTGOMERY | |||||
| MORGAN | |||||
| NEWTON | |||||
| NODAWAY | |||||
| OREGON | |||||
| OSAGE | |||||
| OZARK | |||||
| PERRY | |||||
| PETTIS | |||||
| PHELPS | |||||
| PIKE | |||||
| PLATTE | |||||
| POLK | |||||
| PULASKI | |||||
| PUTNAM | |||||
| RALLS | |||||
| RANDOLPH | |||||
| RAY | |||||
| REYNOLDS | |||||
| SALINE | |||||
| SCHUYLER | |||||
| SCOTLAND | |||||
| SHELBY | |||||
| ST. CHARLES | |||||
| ST. CLAIR | |||||
| ST. LOUIS | |||||
| STODDARD | |||||
| STONE | |||||
| SULLIVAN | |||||
| TANEY | |||||
| TEXAS | |||||
| VERNON | |||||
| WARREN | |||||
| WEBSTER | |||||
| WORTH | |||||
| WRIGHT |
References for distribution: 018 , 004 , 001 , 015 , 016 , 017
Des Moines R.
Wyaconda R.
North Fabius R. and Middle Fabius R.
South Fabius R.
Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
North Fork from Headwaters to South Fork
South Fork from Headwaters to North Fork
Salt R.
Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Big R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
Mo. R. from Iowa Border to Nishnabotna R.
Nishnabotna R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Platte R.
One Hundred and Two R.
Grand R. from Headwaters to Shoal Creek
Thompson R.
Grand R. from Shoal Creek to MO. R.
Chariton R. from Headwaters to Shuteye Creek
Chariton R. from Shuteye Creek to Mo. R.
Little Chariton R.
Marais Des Cygnes from Headwaters to Little Osage R.
Little Osage R.
Marmaton R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Niangua R.
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Gasconade R. from Headwaters to Big Piney R.
Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Lamine R.
Blackwater R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
North Fork White R.
Black R.
Current R.
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.
Lost Creek
Spring R.
Indian Creek
Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."
Central Till Plains, Osage Plains, Ozark Highlands
Comments: ""
Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Glaciated Plains
Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains
Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.
References for Aquatic Associations:
Cereal Grain
Perennial Grass (Warm season)
Perennial Grass (cool-season)
Savanna (Grass-Shrub)
Legumes (Tame)
References for Habitat Types: 005 , 007 , 008 , 010 , 001
Savanna
Dry Savanna
Dry-Mesic Savanna
Mesic Savanna
Limestone/Dolomite Savanna
Chert Savanna
Sandstone Savanna
Igneous Savanna
Prairie
Dry Prairie
Dry-Mesic Prairie
Mesic Prairie
Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Dry-Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Chert Prairie
Dry Chert Prairie
Dry-Mesic Chert Prairie
Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Dry Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Dry-Mesic Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Hardpan Prairie
References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 005 , 007 , 010 , 001
"Carnivore"
Comments for larval food habits:
""
References for larval food habits:
Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""
References Juvenile Food Habits
Reptiles; Egg stage
Testudines (turtles); Egg stage
Birds; Egg stage
Coleoptera (beetles); Larva stage
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Larva stage
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Larva stage
Insects
Insects; Larva stage
Reptiles; Juvenile stage
Leporidae (rabbits); Juvenile stage
Birds; Juvenile stage
Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Not Specified
Sauria (lizards, skinks); Not Specified
Serpentes (snakes); Not Specified
Talpidae (moles); Not Specified
Sciuridae (squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs); Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Carrion; Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
See comments on seasonal variation; Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Arachnids (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, daddy longlegs); Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified
Coleoptera (beetles); Adult Stage
Reptiles; Adult Stage
Leporidae (rabbits); Adult Stage
Insects
Insects; Adult Stage
Mammals; All life stages
Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""
References Adult Food Habits 007 , 001
References for egg niches requirements:
References for feeding larvae niche requirements:
References for resting Larvae niche requirements:
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: subclimax grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Agricultural crops: hay
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 005 , 007 , 001
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Agricultural crops: hay
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 005 , 007 , 001
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Agricultural crops: hay
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 005 , 007 , 001
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: subclimax grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Agricultural crops: hay
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
References for feeding adult niche requirements: 005 , 007 , 001
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: subclimax grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Agricultural crops: hay
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
References for resting adult niche requirements: 005 , 007 , 001
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
Agricultural crops: hay
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: climax grassland
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: subclimax grassland
| Code | Comment |
|---|---|
| 004 | Dig prey out of their dens, or lie in wait in prey's den *01* |
| 007 | Breed in August or September *01,12* |
| 013 | During spring and summer, usually change dens every day except for 4-8 weeks when young are in den. In fall, still change dens often, but not every day. May use only 1 den during winter *13* |
| 016 | Den may be 46-54 cm in diameter *13* |
| 018 | Litter size 1-7, usually 2-3 *01* |
| 017 | Gestation 6-9 months, however, after breeding, implantation delayed till at least mid-February, development after implantation takes about 5 weeks *01* |
| 022 | Females mature at 1 year, males at 2 years *01* |
| 028 | Home range of adult males averaged 2 square miles, females averaged 1 square mile *01*. In MN, varies according to season: 1880 acres in summer, 130 acres in fall, and 5 acres in winter *08* |
| 035 | Man most important predator, other predators include dogs and coyotes. Parasites include fleas, ticks, lice, roundworms, tapeworms and flukes. Diseases include rabies and tularemia *01* |
Home range size specified in comments(028)
Periodicity: active at night
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: ground
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Duration of pair bond: no pair bond formed
Nest/den site: underground burrow
Nest/den/spawning site tenacity specified in comments(013)
Nest dimensions specified in comments(016)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litter per year: one
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: female
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)
| Code | Comment |
|---|---|
| 004 | Dig prey out of their dens, or lie in wait in prey's den *01* |
| 007 | Breed in August or September *01,12* |
| 013 | During spring and summer, usually change dens every day except for 4-8 weeks when young are in den. In fall, still change dens often, but not every day. May use only 1 den during winter *13* |
| 016 | Den may be 46-54 cm in diameter *13* |
| 018 | Litter size 1-7, usually 2-3 *01* |
| 017 | Gestation 6-9 months, however, after breeding, implantation delayed till at least mid-February, development after implantation takes about 5 weeks *01* |
| 022 | Females mature at 1 year, males at 2 years *01* |
| 028 | Home range of adult males averaged 2 square miles, females averaged 1 square mile *01*. In MN, varies according to season: 1880 acres in summer, 130 acres in fall, and 5 acres in winter *08* |
| 035 | Man most important predator, other predators include dogs and coyotes. Parasites include fleas, ticks, lice, roundworms, tapeworms and flukes. Diseases include rabies and tularemia *01* |
References for life history: 008 , 012 , 013 , 001
Regulate harvest of species being described
Agricultural - other (specify in comments)
Grassland - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Grassland - maintain natural vegetation (native)
Grassland - control grazing of domestic livestock
Grassland - prescribed/controlled burning
Beneficial Management References: 005 , 007 , 001
Agricultural - application of herbicides
Agricultural - application of pesticides
Agricultural - application of insecticides
Agricultural - control of undesirable invertebrate species (beetles, grasshoppers)
Agricultural - control of undesirable vertebrate species (coyotes, gophers, etc.)
Grassland - application of herbicides
Grassland - application of pesticides
Grassland - application of insecticides
Grassland - control of undesirable invertebrate species (beetles, grasshoppers)
Grassland - control of undesirable vertebrate species (coyotes, gophers)
Grassland - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock
Adverse Management References: 005 , 007 , 001
Comments on Management:
Beneficial to maintain areas of permanent pasture *07*
References for Management Comments: 007
| Reference Code | Citation |
|---|---|
| 001 | Schwartz, C.W. and E.R. Schwartz. 1981. The Wild Mammals Of Missouri 2nd Ed. Univ. Of Missouri Press And Mo Dept. Of Conservation, Columbia, Mo. 356 Pp. |
| 002 | Hall, E.R. 1981. The Mammals Of North America, 2nd Ed. John Wiley And Sons, Inc. New York. 1181pp. |
| 003 | Long, C.A. 1973. Taxidea Taxus. Mammalian Species No. 26:1-4. |
| 004 | Unpb Furbearer Harvest Survey, 1986-1990. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573)-882-9880. |
| 005 | Unpb Erickson, D.W. Mo.Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201.(573)-882-9880. |
| 006 | Long, C.A. 1972. Taxonomic Revision Of The North American Badger, Taxidea Taxus. J. Mammal. 53:725-759. |
| 007 | Snead, E. and G.O. Hendrickson. 1942. Food Habits Of The Badger In Iowa. J. Mammal. 23(4):380-391. |
| 008 | Sargeant, A.B. and D.W. Warner. 1972. Movements And Denning Habits Of A Badger. J. Mammal. 53(1):207-210. |
| 009 | The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115. |
| 010 | Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp. |
| 011 | Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24. |
| 012 | Pearson, O.P. and R.K. Enders. 1944. Duration Of Pregnancy In Certain Mustelids. J. Exp. Zool. 95:21-35. |
| 013 | Lindzey, F.G. 1976. Characteristics Of The Natal Den Of The Badger. Northwest Sci. 50(3):178-180. |
| 014 | Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2009. Missouri species and communities of conservation concern checklist. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, MO. 54 pp. |
| 015 | Eric Heuring (Missouri Conservation Agent), personal communication email, March 16, 2007. |
| 016 | Ken West, personal communication email, June 5, 2006. |
| 017 | Eric Heuring (Missouri Conservation Agent), personal communication email, June 6, 2006 |
| 018 | UNPB Shelby Timm. MDC Mammal Database. Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Ellington Office. 2929 County Rd 618, Ellington, MO 63638/ |