Albuquerque East Side American Badger (Taxidea taxus) Study

This study is estimating the population of American badger in the east side Albuquerque bosque from Alameda to just south of Cesar Chavez. We have six teams of trackers combing the bosque for fresh badger digs, burrows and tracks, where we place lure-based camera traps which capture distinct dorsal stripes on badger heads to determine individuals. Final products will include a GIS map and scientific paper, tied in with my master's program at Prescott College.

Volunteer for the badger study by emailing me here

Badger dig/den identification:

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Opening approx. 7-10 inches wide/high, usually angling into ground., often wider than tall, or at least equal height/width.​ Horizontal claw marks often visible in side walls of burrow, unlike in canine digs. Dig can be straight down, usually when digging after gophers. Digs often but not always found on slopes or embankments.

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Badgers dig dens to spend one or more nights, sometimes enlarging the holes of their prey, such as ground squirrels.. These are identified by the large throw mound of over three feet square. 

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Smaller digs, many in an area, indicate foraging for voles, pocket gophers, ground squirrels, grubs or insects.

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