Citizendia
Your Ad Here

For other uses, see Badger (disambiguation).
Badgers
American Badger
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Subfamily: Melinae
Mellivorinae
Taxidiinae
Genera

 Arctonyx
 Melogale
 Meles
 Mellivora
 Taxidea

Badger is the common name for any animal of three subfamilies, which belong to the family Mustelidae: the same mammal family as the ferrets, the weasels, the otters, and several other types of carnivore. The American Badger, Taxidea taxus, is a North American Badger, somewhat similar in appearance to the European Badger. Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands The diverse order Carnivora (kɑrˈnɪvərə or sometimes /ˌkɑrnɪˈvɔərə/ from Latin carō (stem carn-) "flesh" + vorāre Mustelidae or Mustelids (from Latin mustela, Weasel) commonly referred to as the weasel family, is a family of carnivorous Mammals Badger is the Common name for any animal of three subfamilies which belong to the family Mustelidae: the same Mammal family as the The American Badger, Taxidea taxus, is a North American Badger, somewhat similar in appearance to the European Badger. A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic The Hog Badger ( Arctonyx collaris) is a terrestrial Mammal up to long with medium-length brown hair stocky body white throat two black stripes on an elongated The American Badger, Taxidea taxus, is a North American Badger, somewhat similar in appearance to the European Badger. For Wikipedia aspects see WikipediaNaming conventions (common names, WikipediaNaming conventions, and WikipediaStyle manual. Mustelidae or Mustelids (from Latin mustela, Weasel) commonly referred to as the weasel family, is a family of carnivorous Mammals Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands In Biological classification, family ( Latin The ferret is a domestic Mammal of the type Mustela putorius furo. Weasels are Mammals in the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family. Otters are semi- aquatic (or in one case aquatic) fish-eating Mammals The otter subfamily Lutrinae forms part of the family The diverse order Carnivora (kɑrˈnɪvərə or sometimes /ˌkɑrnɪˈvɔərə/ from Latin carō (stem carn-) "flesh" + vorāre There are eight species of badger, in three subfamilies: Melinae (badgers of Europe and Asia – see links in species list below), Mellivorinae (the Ratel or honey badger), and Taxideinae (the American badger). In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. The American Badger, Taxidea taxus, is a North American Badger, somewhat similar in appearance to the European Badger. The Asiatic stink badgers of the genus Mydaus were formerly included in the Melinae, but recent genetic evidence indicates that these are actually Old World relatives of the skunks (family Mephitidae). Skunks (sometimes referred to as polecats) are Mammals best known for their ability to excrete a strong foul-smelling odor. Typical badgers (Meles, Arctonyx, Taxidea and Mellivora species) are short-legged and heavy-set. The lower jaw is articulated to the upper by means of a transverse condyle firmly locked into a long cavity of the cranium, so that dislocation of the jaw is all but impossible. The mandible (from Latin mandibula, "jawbone" or inferior maxillary bone forms the lower Jaw and holds the lower teeth in place The condyloid process is thicker than the coronoid and consists of two portions the condyle and the constricted portion which supports it the neck This enables the badger to maintain its hold with the utmost tenacity, but limits the jaw movement to hinging open and shut or sliding from side to side. In the hinge joint ( ginglymus) the articular surfaces are moulded to each other in such a manner as to permit motion only in one plane forward and backward the extent of motion

Contents

Etymology

The name badger is possibly derived from the French word blaireau being used in both senses. In Linguistics, derivation is "Used to form new words as with happi-ness and un-happy from happy, or determination from But more likely, the term comes from the French word bêcheur (digger), introduced during William the Conqueror's reign. William I of England ( 1027 His reign which brought Norman culture to England had an enormous impact on the subsequent course of England in the Middle Ages [1] An older term for "badger" is brock (Old English brocc), a Celtic loanword (Gaelic broc, Welsh broch, from Proto-Celtic *brokko). The Celtic languages are descended from Proto-Celtic, or "Common Celtic" a branch of the greater Indo-European Language family. A loanword (or loan word) is a word directly taken into one Language from another with little or no translation The Goidelic languages, (also sometimes called particularly in colloquial situations the Gaelic languages or collectively Gaelic) historically formed a Dialect Welsh ( cy Cymraeg or cy y Gymraeg, kəmˈrɑːɨɡ and {{IPA|[ə ɡəmˈrɑːɨɡ]}}, is a member of the Brythonic branch of Celtic Phonological reconstruction Consonants The phonological changes from Proto-Indo-European to Proto-Celtic Consonants may be summarised as follows The Proto-Germanic term was *þahsu- (German Dachs), probably from the PIE root *tek'- "to construct," so that the badger would have been named after its digging of setts (tunnels). Proto-Germanic, or Common Germanic, is the hypothetical common ancestor ( Proto-language) of all the Germanic languages such as modern English The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. The root is the primary lexical unit of a Word, which carries the most significant aspects of semantic content and cannot be reduced into smaller constituents A sett, or set, is a network of tunnels making up a badger 's homestead

A male badger is a boar, a female a sow and a young badger is a cub. The collective name for a group of badgers is a clan, colony, or cete. A clan is a group of People united by Kinship and descent, which is defined by perceived descent from a common ancestor This article is about a type of political territory For other uses see Colony (disambiguation.

Classification

Behavior

The behavior of badgers differs by family, but all shelter underground, living in burrows called setts. Otters are semi- aquatic (or in one case aquatic) fish-eating Mammals The otter subfamily Lutrinae forms part of the family The Hog Badger ( Arctonyx collaris) is a terrestrial Mammal up to long with medium-length brown hair stocky body white throat two black stripes on an elongated Chamitataxus was a prehistoric Badger Genus belonging to the group Fissipedia. The American Badger, Taxidea taxus, is a North American Badger, somewhat similar in appearance to the European Badger. Mustelinae is a Polyphyletic Subfamily of family Mustelidae and includes Wolverines Weasels Ferrets The Palawan stink badger ( Mydaus marchei) is a small skunk that lives on the Philippine Islands of Palawan and Busuanga. A sett, or set, is a network of tunnels making up a badger 's homestead Some are solitary, moving from home to home, while others are known to form clans. Clan size is variable between 2 to 15. Many animals including humans tend to live in groups Herds flocks, bands packs, parties or colonies (hereafter groups of conspecific individuals Badgers are fierce animals and will protect themselves and their young at all costs. Badgers are capable of fighting off much larger animals such as wolves, coyotes and bears. The grey wolf or gray wolf ( Canis lupus) also known as the timber wolf or simply wolf, is a Mammal of the order Carnivora The coyote (kaɪˈoʊti ˈkaɪoʊt ( Canis latrans) also known as the prairie wolf, is a Mammal of the order Carnivora Badgers can run or gallop at up to 25-30 km per hour for short periods of time.

Diet

American badger.
American badger.

North American Badgers (Taxidea taxus) are omnivores and prey predominantly on pocket gophers (Geomyidae), ground squirrels (Spermophilus), moles (Talpidae), marmots (Marmota), prairie dogs (Cynomys), woodrats (Neotoma), kangaroo rats (Dipodomys), deer mice (Peromyscus), and voles (Microtus). The American Badger, Taxidea taxus, is a North American Badger, somewhat similar in appearance to the European Badger. Omnivores (from Latin omne all everything vorare to devour are species that eat both Plants and Animals as their primary The pocket gophers are burrowing Rodents of the family Geomyidae. The pocket gophers are burrowing Rodents of the family Geomyidae. A squirrel is one of the many small or medium-sized Rodents in the family Sciuridae. The genus Spermophilus is the largest genus of ground squirrels and the one that contains the species that are most common and familiar in North America. The family Talpidae includes the moles and the Desmans small insectivorous mammals of the order Soricomorpha. Marmots are members of the Genus Marmota, in the Rodent family Sciuridae (squirrels Marmots are members of the Genus Marmota, in the Rodent family Sciuridae (squirrels The prairie dogs ( Cynomys) are small burrowing Rodents native to the Grasslands of North America The prairie dogs ( Cynomys) are small burrowing Rodents native to the Grasslands of North America A pack rat, also called a trade rat or wood rat, can be any of several Species in the genus Neotoma, but most commonly the A pack rat, also called a trade rat or wood rat, can be any of several Species in the genus Neotoma, but most commonly the Kangaroo rats, genus Dipodomys, are small Rodents native to North America. Kangaroo rats, genus Dipodomys, are small Rodents native to North America. The genus Peromyscus contains species commonly referred to as deer mice The genus Peromyscus contains species commonly referred to as deer mice A vole is a small Rodent resembling a Mouse but with a stouter body a shorter hairy tail a slightly rounder head and smaller ears and eyes The genus Microtus is a group of Voles found in North America and northern Europe and Asia. They also prey on ground-nesting birds (such as bank swallow or sand martin Riparia riparia and burrowing owl Athene cunicularia), lizards, amphibians, carrion, fish, skunks (Mephitis and Spilogale), insects, including bees and honeycomb, and some plant foods, such as corn (maize, Zea mais), peas, green beans, mushrooms and other fungi, and sunflower seeds (Helianthus). The Sand Martin ( Riparia riparia) is a migratory Passerine Bird in the Swallow family The Burrowing Owl ( Athene cunicularia) is a small long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America Lizards are a large and widespread group of Reptiles of the order Squamata, with nearly 5000 species and ranging across all continents except Prehistoric amphibian Amphibians (class Amphibia such as Frogs Toads Salamanders Newts Gymnophiona, Sirens and Carrion (from the Latin caro, meaning meat refers to the carcass of a dead animal Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two Skunks (sometimes referred to as polecats) are Mammals best known for their ability to excrete a strong foul-smelling odor. The spotted skunks are three species of Skunk in the genus Spilogale. Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Bees are flying Insects closely related to Wasps and Ants Bees are a Monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea A honeycomb is a mass of Hexagonal Wax cells built by Honey bees in their nests to contain their larvae and stores of Honey and Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica A mushroom is the fleshy Spore -bearing Fruiting body of a Fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source The sunflower seed is the Fruit of the Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus) Unlike many carnivores that stalk their prey in open country, badgers catch most of their food by digging. They can tunnel after ground dwelling rodents with amazing speed. They have been known to cache food.

The honey badger consumes honey, porcupines and even venomous snakes (such as the puff adder). Honey is a sweet and Viscous fluid produced by Honey bees (and some other species and derived from the nectar of Flowers According to the Porcupines are Rodents with a coat of sharp spines or quills that defend them from predators A snake is an elongate Reptile of the suborder Serpentes Like all reptiles snakes are covered in scales. Common names: puff adder African puff adder common puff adder They will climb trees to gain access to honey from bees' nests.

Badger foraging at night.
Badger foraging at night.

The diet of the Eurasian badger consists largely of earthworms, insects, and grubs. Earthworm is the usual name for the largest members of Oligochaeta (which is either a class or subclass depending on the author in the phylum Annelida In classical Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described They also eat small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds as well as cereals, roots and fruit. Prehistoric amphibian Amphibians (class Amphibia such as Frogs Toads Salamanders Newts Gymnophiona, Sirens and Reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia are air-breathing Cold-blooded Vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs. ROOT is an object-oriented program and library developed by CERN. The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. [2]

Eurasian badger.
Eurasian badger.

Badgers and humans

Many badgers in Europe were gassed during the 1960s and 1970s to control rabies. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Rabies (from rabies “madness rage fury” Also known as “ hydrophobia ” is a viral Zoonotic neuroinvasive disease that Until the 1980s, gassing was also practiced in the UK to control the spread of bovine TB. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or T u' b' erculosis Bacillus --> is a common Scandinavian custom is to put eggshells in one's boots when walking through badger territory, as badgers are believed to bite down until they can hear a crunch. Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well Hunting badgers is common in many countries, either as a perceived pest, or for sport. A pest is an organism which has characteristics that are regarded by Humans as injurious or unwanted Sport is an Activity that is governed by a set of rules or Customs and often engaged in competitively Ostensibly badgers are protected in the UK by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located (Otherwise an exemption allowing fox hunters to loosely block setts to prevent chased foxes escaping into them was brought to an end with the passage of the Hunting Act 2004). Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking chase and sometimes killing of a fox traditionally a Red fox, by trained Foxhounds or other Scent hounds The Hunting Act 2004 is an Act of the UK Parliament passed in 2004 Meddling in badger population is prevented as badgers are listed in the Berne Convention (Appendix III), but they are not otherwise the subject of any international treaty or legislation. The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats 1979 also known as the Bern Convention (or Berne Convention) came

See Eurasian badger for more details about badgers and bovine tuberculosis.

Badger-baiting is a blood sport outlawed in the United Kingdom by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 as well as the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Badger-baiting is a Blood sport involving the baiting of Badgers Background The badger is a usually quiet and docile creature in its own Bloodsport or blood sport is any Sport or Entertainment that involves violence against animals The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (citation 5 & 6 Will

The Dachshund dog breed has a history with badgers; "dachs" is the German word for badger, and dachshunds were originally bred to be badger hounds. The dachshund is a short-legged elongated Dog breed of the Hound family The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. [1]

Badgers are popular in English language fiction. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Many badger characters are featured in author Brian Jacques' Redwall series, most often falling under the title of Badger Lord or Badger Mother. (James Brian Jacques (pronounced "Jakes" (born June 15, 1939) is an English author, best Redwall is a series of Fantasy novels by Brian Jacques. It is the title of the first book of the series published in 1986 the name of the Abbey A Badger Lord is the ruler of Salamandastron in the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. Badger Mother is a fictional office in the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. One such badger contains 'Brock' in his name. Other stories featuring badgers include The Boy Who Talked to Badgers (1975 movie), The Tale of Mr. Tod, The Wind in the Willows, The Once and Future King, The Animals of Farthing Wood, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Book of Merlyn, and The Chronicles of Narnia. The Tale of Mr Tod is a book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. The Wind in the Willows is a classic of Children's literature by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. The Once and Future King is an Arthurian Fantasy novel written by T The Animals of Farthing Wood is the first book of the Animals of Farthing Wood book series. Fantastic Mr Fox is a children's Novel written by Roald Dahl, first published in the US by Alfred A The Book of Merlyn is an Arthurian Fantasy book written by T H In the Harry Potter series, one of the four "houses" of Hogwarts, Hufflepuff, is symbolised by a badger. Harry Potter is a series of seven Fantasy novels written by British author J Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a setting in J K The character Frances in Russell Hoban's series of children's books is a badger. Russell Conwell Hoban (born February 4, 1925) is an American writer of Fantasy, Science fiction, mainstream Fiction, They also appear prominently in two volumes of Erin Hunter's Warriors: The New Prophecy series. A badger god is also featured as a major character and spirit guide for the lead character in The Immortals series by Tamora Pierce. Tamora Pierce ( December 13, 1954) is an author of Fantasy literature for young adults

The most prominent poem on the badger is from the Romantic period's John Clare. John Clare ( 13 July 1793 – 20 May 1864) was an English Poet, in his time commonly known as "the Northamptonshire "Badger" describes a badger hunt, complete with badger-baiting, and treats the badger as a noble creature who dies at the end.

Badger hair is used to make quality shaving brushes and has even been used in some instances as doll hair. The term shave brush or shaving brush refers to a small brush with a handle parallel to the bristles used to apply Shaving soap or

The badger is the state animal of Wisconsin. Wisconsin ( or wɪˈskɑnsɨn (French Ouisconsin) is one of the fifty United States of America, located in the north central part of the United States Likenesses of badgers appear through the Wisconsin State Capitol, and a badger appears on the head of the statue of Wisconsin atop the building. ||-||-||-||} The Wisconsin State Capitol, in Madison, Wisconsin, houses both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature along with the state Supreme

The official mascot of the University of Wisconsin-Madison is Buckingham U. Badger, AKA Bucky Badger. Bucky Badger is the official Mascot of the University of Wisconsin&ndashMadison.

Urban legends

References

  1. ^ BBC Natural World, 2008, Badgers: Secrets of the Sett
  2. ^ Diet of the Eurasian badger
  3. ^ "British blamed for Basra badgers", BBC News, 2007-07-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. Retrieved on 2007-07-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre.  
  4. ^ Carney, Mike. "Brits 'deny' releasing 'giant man-eating' badgers that target Iraqis", USA Today, 2007-07-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. Retrieved on 2007-07-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre.  

External links

Dictionary

Badger

-noun

  1. A native or resident of the American state of Wisconsin.
© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic