: By constantly tunneling, they aerate the soil and mix nutrients, which helps native plants thrive. A Symbol of Tenacity
In the 1820s, iron ore miners in Wisconsin didn't have permanent homes, so they dug temporary shelters into the hillsides. These miners were nicknamed "badgers," and the name eventually stuck to the entire state. American Badger - Behind the Adventure American Badger
: If the squirrel stays inside, the badger gets it; if it bolts out to escape the digging, the coyote catches it. This teamwork increases the coyote’s catch rate by about 33%. Ecosystem Engineers : By constantly tunneling, they aerate the soil
A common misconception is that Wisconsin is called the "Badger State" because of the animal. The story is actually about humans: American Badger - Behind the Adventure : If
: The two predators often hunt together. The badger digs into the burrow, and the coyote waits above ground.