badger

Badgers are short-legged, stout-bodied burrowing mammals related to weasels. They can be found in various forms all over Aetheria, primarily in open plains, grasslands, and sparsely forested areas. They are highly aggressive towards any invaders, and can be a nasty surprise for an inexperienced traveler.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Badgers have flat, wedge-shaped bodies, broad feet with long claws, and a broad head with a blunt snout and powerful jaws. Their fur is coarse and tends to be black or brown, and most types of badgers have white markings along the length of their heads. Badgers usually grow to be 3 feet long on average, not including the tail, but some varieties, such as the dire badger, can be much larger.

Ecology and Habitats

Badgers can be found in open plains, sparse woodlands, and scrublands, preferring areas with looser soil that is not too rocky so that they can dig their burrows. These dens can be extensive and labyrinthine, with multiple exits, and they are usually passed down from one generation to the next.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Badgers have a keen sense of smell and hearing, but poor eyesight, a combination that serves them well in their underground burrows and allows them to communicate with each other with strong scent markings.