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November
2, 2016
Recent sightings of a coyote and badger on the prairie
surrounding the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center brought
attention to a fascinating example of partnership.
Coyotes and badgers are known to hunt together and can even be more successful hunting prairie dogs and ground-squirrels when they work in tandem.
Coyote and badger at Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center. Kimberly Fraser, USFWS
Coyotes and badgers are known to hunt together and can even be more successful hunting prairie dogs and ground-squirrels when they work in tandem.
Coyote and badger at Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center. Kimberly Fraser, USFWS
Studies have shown that this unusual relationship is beneficial
for both species. The coyote can chase down prey if it runs and the badger can
dig after prey if it heads underground into its burrow systems.
Coyote
and badger at Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center.
Each partner in this unlikely duo brings a skill the other one
lacks. Together they are both faster and better diggers than the burrowing
rodents they hunt.
These partnerships tend to emerge during the warmer months. In
the winter, the badger can dig up hibernating prey as it sleeps in its burrow.
It has no need for the fleet-footed coyote.
Coyote
and badger at Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center. Kimberly Fraser, USFWS
Coyotes and badgers have a sort of open relationship. They will sometimes hunt together; but they also often hunt on their own.
Coyote
and badger at Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center. Kimberly Fraser, USFWS
Each species is a treat to see, but together is even more fascinating and special!
Just a few of the studies on this pairing:
Minta, Steven C., Kathryn A. Minta, and Dale F. Lott. "Hunting associations between badgers (Taxidea taxus) and coyotes (Canis latrans)." Journal of Mammalogy 73.4 (1992): 814-820.
Macdonald, David W. "The ecology of carnivore social behaviour." Nature 301.5899 (1983): 379-384.
Cahalane, Victor H. "Badger-coyote “partnerships”." Journal of Mammalogy 31.3 (1950): 354-355.
Minta, Steven C., Kathryn A. Minta, and Dale F. Lott. "Hunting associations between badgers (Taxidea taxus) and coyotes (Canis latrans)." Journal of Mammalogy 73.4 (1992): 814-820.
Macdonald, David W. "The ecology of carnivore social behaviour." Nature 301.5899 (1983): 379-384.
Cahalane, Victor H. "Badger-coyote “partnerships”." Journal of Mammalogy 31.3 (1950): 354-355.
# Posted
By | 11/6/16 6:40 AM
Review article here http://www.ecology.info/badger-coyote.htm
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A coyote and a badger use a culvert as a wildlife crossing
to pass under a busy California highway together. Coyotes and badgers are
known to hunt together.
🎥Peninsula Open Space Trust pic.twitter.com/oS9BL5JOoK |
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