The fastest of the burrowing animals is the badger, a creature that
eats other burrowing animals. In addition to digging for prey, badgers
create their underground homes by tunneling. They can also dig their
way out of danger, escaping predators by creating impromptu burrows.
"The badger is the fastest digging animal on earth, and the strongest
for its size. An American badger in the midwest was observed digging
through the asphalt surface of a parking lot. It took him less than
two minutes to disappear completely!"
Badger Info: Facts & Myths
http://badgerinfo.com/facts.html
"Badgers are fossorial animals, which means they burrow underground.
When excavating, badgers use their long, thick front claws to break
fresh ground while their back legs kick out the excess dirt. They are
known to dig faster than any mammal, including a man with a shovel.
Badgers primarily eat small mammals such as ground squirrels, pocket
gophers, prairie dogs and cottontail rabbits, but they also will
consume birds, invertebrates and carrion. Badgers also eat
rattlesnakes and, lucky for them, they are unaffected by the snake's
venom unless they are struck on the nose. While hunting burrowing
animals, badgers are occasionally out-maneuvered by 'wily' coyotes. As
badgers dig after rodents, coyotes will wait and snatch the escaping
prey above ground, leaving badgers with just a glimpse of what might
have been for dinner.
Badgers usually den in shallow burrows except during breeding season,
when they will dig a nest chamber deep below the ground. These 'badger
holes,' called setts, are evidenced by the large amounts of mounded
earth that surround them."
Texas Parks & Wildlife: Badgers
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/wild/mammals/badger.htm
"Badgers are adapted for digging up burrowing rodents which are their
main prey. Their short, squat profile and wedge-shaped head are well
suited for maneuvering in tight places. A badger's front feet each
have five toes tipped with sturdy claws up to two inches in length.
Small folds of skin form a partial webbing between the front toes.
This webbing helps a badger to scoop out large 'handfuls' of dirt.
Thin, transparent membranes protect a badger's eyes from dirt
particles as it digs. Its ears are short and round, with long, stiff
hairs that help keep dirt out of the ear canal. Massive shoulder and
neck muscles allow a badger to dig faster than a person with a
shovel."
Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Badger
http://dnr.state.il.us/orc/Wildlife/furbearers/badger.htm
"The American badger (Taxidea taxus) is the only burrowing member of
the WEASEL family. The male may weigh up to 11.4 kg and measure 84 cm
in length. The badger's body and head are flattened; the limbs, ears
and tail are short. Its long, sturdy claws enable it to dig a tunnel
faster than a human being using a shovel."
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Badger
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTJ0000444
"The badger uses its claws to dig. It digs to hunt and to eat. Its
success is dependent upon the ability to dig FASTER than its prey. It
also 'digs in' to escape intruders but if attacked, can easily defend
itself."
National Park Service: Badger
http://www.nps.gov/wica/Badger.htm
My Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: badger OR badgers faster OR fastest
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=badger+OR+badgers+faster+OR+fastest
I hope this is helpful. If anything is unclear, please request
clarification; I'll gladly offer further assistance before you rate my
answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
