In a behavior rarely documented before, scientists observed an American badger burying an entire cow carcass—something far larger than its usual prey. The footage, captured in Utah’s Great Basin Desert by researchers from the University of Utah, is causing scientists to rethink what they know about badger behavior, scavenger ecology, and even how ecosystems might be shaped by such powerful acts of “engineering.” WIRED
What the Researchers Saw
- The carcass in question was around 50 pounds (22 kg), much larger than what a badger normally handles. WIRED
- The badger dug around and beneath the carcass over a period of five days to fully bury it. Afterwards, the badger rested, then returned periodically. WIRED
- The capture was accidental—the cameras were initially set up to study other scavengers, not badgers specifically. It was only later that the researchers discovered this dramatic burial. WIRED
Why This Behavior Matters
1. Predator Deterrence
By burying the carcass, the badger may avoid attracting larger predators or scavengers (like bear, coyote, vultures) that could steal the food or pose a danger. Keeping the carcass hidden or masked in scent might be an adaptive strategy. WIRED
2. Ecosystem Impacts
Carcasses are nutrient hotspots. When a large carcass is buried, the nutrients (fats, proteins, bones) enter the soil more slowly and more locally. This could affect soil microbes, plants, and smaller scavengers differently than if the carcass stayed exposed. WIRED
3. Behavioral Insight
Badgers are generally known to dig and to cache food, but burying something as large as a cow carcass had not been observed before. This suggests they may be capable of more complex behaviors under certain conditions. WIRED
Unanswered Questions & Next Steps
- How common is this behavior among badgers? So far, only a few documented cases. WIRED
- What triggers a badger to undertake such a large burrowing effort? Is it resource scarcity? Predator pressure? Environmental factors?
- What are the ecological outcomes for surrounding species, soil health, decomposition, and nutrient cycling?
- How much energy does a badger expend doing this? Is it worth it, energetically?
Conclusion
This remarkable discovery that a badger buried an entire cow carcass is more than just a curious anecdote. It forces researchers to reconsider what badgers—and other similar animals—may do when faced with large food resources, threats from predators, or competition. It also opens up new lines of research into how such behavior shapes ecosystems, especially in desert or arid landscapes.
