Coyotes and Badgers at Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge

What the Badger Was Digging For

Badgers actively excavate prairie dog burrows to capture prey underground. The interaction between coyotes and badgers is a well-documented cooperative hunting behavior:

• Mutual Benefit: Badgers excel at digging prey out of subterranean tunnels, while coyotes are built to catch animals fleeing across the surface.

• The Dynamic: When a badger digs into a burrow, prairie dogs attempt to exit through secondary holes. Coyotes position themselves above ground to intercept escaping rodents. If the prey stays underground, the badger gets the meal.

• Behavioral Pestering: Coyotes frequently follow badgers closely, occasionally pestering or lying next to them between digs to keep the badger working the burrow system.