Their underparts are buff, feet are brown to black. A central white facial stripe runs from their noses to shoulders with black patches on their faces and cheeks. Loose skin enables the badger to maneuver more freely in tight quarters as well as making it difficult for a predator to grasp. As the name applies, American badgers range throughout the central and western United States, south into central Mexico and Baja, and east into Ohio. Badgers are truly omnivorous, although they feed primarily on rodents dug from their burrows.
Badgers often plug up other exits before digging in to the main burrow of their prey.
Badgers are known for their ability to dig. Strong, powerful front claws loosen dirt while hind feet rake it away. Badgers' wide, flattened body and pigeon-toed, rocking, waddling gait are unmistakable. Compulsive burrowers, over time, a badger settlement becomes a series of small quarries. The sleeping nests in which badgers stay during daytime are lined with hay.