Instagram – Oct 06, 2022 @ 11:15
Today is National Badger Day 🦡
Badgers are social creatures but rarely sighted in the wild. There are 11 varieties of badgers, commonly grouped into 4. Mellivorinae or Honey Badgers are mostly spread over Africa, Southwest Asia, and India. They belong to the same family as weasels, otters, ferrets, and mink, and can grow up to 34 inches and weigh anywhere between 9 to 39 pounds.
Badgers are a critical part of the grassland ecosystem and are one of the most important carnivores. These short-legged mammals have sharp claws and put their digging skills to work by constructing intricate tunnels called setts or dens, which may be used to trap prey or even rest. Badgers are nocturnal and will come out to feed on other small creatures, such as squirrels, birds, lizards, and insects, at night. They are quite adaptable and can change their diet according to the seasonal availability of prey.
Honey badgers are also known for their ferociousness. For instance, they are resistant to snake venom and have different tactics to deter their enemies. They are able to discharge fumes when storming beehives, and have been known to not back down when confronting larger animals like lions.
This National Badger Day, let us raise awareness for the need to protect these amazing creatures and appreciate their striped faces and beauty from afar. Contribute to our general wildlife protection program through the link in our bio!