Coyote and Badger, Unlikely Liaisons

kdog

I was in the Dakota Badlands earlier this week having a fabulous time shooting wildlife with fellow Dgrinners Grimace and DaveV and we came across this odd sight.

A distant coyote walking across the prairie is being followed by a badger. :huh


Not only that, but the coyote being the faster hiker stops to let the badger catch up.




Off they go...


We'd actually seen coyotes and a badger working the same prairie dog town, but didn't realize what we were seeing. After a bit of investigation, it turns out that coyotes and badgers are known hunting partners. The coyotes chase ground squirrels down into their holes, and the badger goes down and gets them. If the ground squirrel escapes, the coyotes chase it down. Studies have shown that both the badger and coyote will catch more ground squirrels than if they were working individually. Interesting huh? It makes you wonder how these two different species worked that all out.

Cheers,
-joel

Qarik

whoa haha! that is cool

Ric Grupe

Good stuff, Joel!

JohnDC

Really interesting natural history, Joel, and nicely photo-documented.

ashrugged

I love that post, thanks for sharing.

kdog

Thanks, guys! It was a fascinating thing to witness.

davev

Your Coyote and badger shots come out well. (better than mine dammit)

kdog

I switched CF cards when you weren't looking.

PGM

Really great series, Joel, and what an interesting story! Best, Pam

leaforte

Very Interesting

Maestro

That is cool...great interaction you captured.

Harryb

Good behavioral set Joel. Warms my heart to see wildlife cooperating against the squirrel family.

DsrtVW

Badgers we dont need no stinkin Badgers. Nice catch of a real odd couple

kdog

PGM wrote: »

Really great series, Joel, and what an interesting story! Best, Pam

Thanks, Pam. Glad you enjoyed it.

leaforte wrote: »

Very Interesting

Thanks!

Maestro wrote: »

That is cool...great interaction you captured.

Thanks, Stephen! Where ya been?

Harryb wrote: »

Good behavioral set Joel. Warms my heart to see wildlife cooperating against the squirrel family.

Thanks, Harry.

DsrtVW wrote: »

Badgers we dont need no stinkin Badgers. Nice catch of a real odd couple

Thanks, Chris!

jsmiley

Great set of photos.

I think the photos and story need to be forwarded to DC. A demonstration of cooperation for a common goal.

On second thought this might be outside their comprehension!!!!!!

dlplumer

Good catches, Joel