Are Badgers Really Bad-Tempered or Just Hangry?

Badgers are medium-sized mammals with skunk-like heads on wolverine-like bodies. Like wolverines, they are known to be aggressive and tough. Males weigh around 20 lbs and are over 2 feet long. Badgers have a reputation for having a bad attitude, but do they have a bad attitude, or are they just hangry? Since badgers are not picky eaters and have flexible diets, it’s probably the former. So what do these irascible creatures eat?

Hunting Techniques

Badgers are diggers! Their long, sharp claws and their low, stout bodies are perfectly suited to the task. Badgers use their claws to dig up rodents and have even been observed plugging up rodent holes to force their prey out. Besides rodents, badgers eat rabbits and enjoy discovering a nest filled with kits. Insects provide variety to the badger’s diverse diet. Earthworms, grubs, and slugs are favorites. African honey badgers don’t hunt bees, but they will raid a hive for the sweet bee larvae.

The Badger Diet

Badgers are omnivores and have a varied diet. Their main food source is rodents that they dig up. They also eat a variety of insects like earthworms and grubs, and they don’t shy away from lizards, snakes and even scorpions. They don’t eat a lot of vegetation but do eat corn, beans, and fruit. Interestingly, the badger is one of the few animals that eat hedgehogs. They can break through their spiky shell with their large claws and sharp teeth.

A complete list of what badgers eat:

• Rodents
• Mice
• Rats
• Rabbits
• Hedgehogs
• Lizards
• Scorpions
• Snakes
• Insects
• Earthworms
• Slugs
• Grubs
• Corn
• Legumes
• Fruits
• Bee Larvae (Honey Badgers)

Solitary Hunters

Badgers are solitary hunters in that they don’t hunt with other badgers. They do, however, have a unique relationship with coyotes. When badgers locate prey underground and dig them out, coyotes chase down the prey. However, the coyotes are known to chase prey back into its den when the badger awaits, nabbing an easy meal. Badgers, with their short, stocky legs are not fast runners, but the coyotes are quick and can nab the prey as it tries to get away. It is not yet known if badgers and coyotes are working together with a purpose or if they simply benefit from hunting in the same area. Studies are ongoing regarding collaborative hunting practices.

Impervious to Venom

The urban myth that badgers can eat toxic animals is true. Badgers can eat animals that are considered venomous, including scorpions and snakes. The toxins in these animals do not seem to affect badgers. This just adds to the reputation of badgers being tough!

Honey Badgers Do Eat Honey

Honey badgers actually like eating the sweet bee larvae that is found in the honey. But I bet they don’t mind the honey too! How do they avoid getting stung by the bees? They don’t. They will tolerate the bee stings to enjoy the sweet treat. Have we mentioned that badgers are tough? There have been reports of honey badgers that have died from getting too many bee stings at once.