Spacing and ecology of North American badgers (Taxidea taxus) in a Prairie-dog (Cynomys leucurus) complex

Abstract

We studied spacing, food habits, habitat use, and population characteristics of North American badgers (Taxidea taxus) in and around a prairie-dog (Cynomys leucurus) town in southeastern Wyoming, May 1991-October 1993. Densities of badgers varied from 0.8 to 1.1/km2. Prairie dogs occurred in 57% of stomach and fecal samples from female badgers, and females used prairie dog towns more than expected from spatial availability of prairie-dog towns. Ninety-five percent adaptive-kernel home ranges of females were smaller than those of males (male X̄ = 12.3 ± 4.8 km2 [± SD], female X̄ = 3.4 ± 1.4 km2), and occurrence of overlap and geometric mean overlap were less for females than for males. Home ranges of males were larger during the breeding season than during the nonbreeding season (breeding X̄ = 11.1 ± 5.0 km2, nonbreeding X̄ = 5.4 ± 1.7 km2). Breeding home-range size of males was 2.5 times larger than that predicted (4.5 km2) based on energetic demands. Spacing patterns of males were similar to those reported in other studies, but females were more territorial than reported elsewhere.