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Daily activity patterns

Although normally active during the hours of darkness, the American badger is said to be less nocturnal than its Eurasian cousin, particularly in secluded areas. In the deserts however the badger is rarely active by day, and remains in its burrow to avoid overheating and losing too much water.

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Yearly activity patterns

In the southern parts of its range, this badger is active all year round. However, in areas where the winters are cold, activity is much reduced during that season. The badger does not hibernate as such, but enters a period of semi-dormancy, when its breathing and heart rate slows down, and its body temperature drops by as much as 9 degrees celcius. One female badger studied over a 72-day period of intensely cold weather in winter was observed emerging from her burrow only once during this time.

In those areas with cold winters, there are distinct seasonal variations in the extent of the badger's activity. In the summer months the badger travels widely across its range and may spend each night in a different burrow (this is the pattern followed all year round elsewhere). In the autumn however fewer burrows are used, and during the winter, when it becomes semi-dormant, the badger occupies a single burrow. As an illustration of this seasonal variation in activity, one female badger in Minnesota was found to be using a range of 752 hectares in the summer months, she had 50 dens within this range and every day she was found in a different den. In the autumn however the area she covered reduced to 52 hectares. During the winter months she occupied 1 hole, and was active over an area of only 2 hectares.

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Picture credits

The American badger photo used at the head of this Article is a public domain image provided by the US Fish & Wildlife Service; photographer Gary Stolz. Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.

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