Nature has the power to awe us, even in the most unexpected of circumstances. One of the most mysterious works of nature is a rather unlikely hunting duo: coyotes and badgers. Although coyotes prey on fatter and slower badgers, sometimes the two join forces to attain a common goal: food. This unlikely pair has been known for hunting together for a long time in the western parts of the United States. The Native Americans were the first people to recognize this strange alliance, but it has since been verified by a study conducted at the University of California’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biology in 1992.
Coyotes and badgers are notoriously clever carnivores often seen hunting the same prey in the same prairies. Naturally, one would think these two creatures would be staunch enemies—or at the very least avoid each other. However, interestingly, coyotes and badgers have an ancient agreement that signifies why it can sometimes be incredibly smart for rivals to work together.
Usually, wild dogs lead solitary lives and rarely hunt in packs. However, the vast and sparse prairies and desert vegetation can be especially tricky to stalk prey stealthily. So when coyotes and badgers pair up, they track burrowing animals like ground squirrels and prairie dogs, which they both love to feast on. The coyote would usually chase the prey above ground, and the badger would take over the hunt if the target goes underground. This partnership not only helps the duo find food but also allows the coyote to have far more success than if it were to go alone. In fact, coyotes with badger cohorts hunt an estimated one-third more ground squirrels than solo coyotes can do!
Here’s the thing: coyotes have no problem sniffing out prairie dogs; digging them out is the problem. Prairie dogs construct escape tunnels that can confuse even the best predators, but few other animals are as crafty as the badger. Known to dig faster than a man with a shovel by going as much as ten feet down within a few seconds, the badger is a highly efficient burrower. But it can’t run as fast as a coyote, nor does it have its keen eyesight that helps spot prey.
Through this partnership, both animals get to conserve energy by sharing the workload of trapping fast-moving prey. By taking advantage of each other’s hunting adaptations and strengths, both animals effectively attain a common goal.
One might assume that the badger ends up with the short end of the stick once the prey has been subdued. However, the tables can favor the badger in the desert ecosystem or the prairie. Let’s say the coyote chases a prairie dog, and it dashes into its burrow for safety. In this case, the badger would snag the meal. Moreover, when the coyote patrols an area, the rodents remain in their underground tunnels, giving the badger enough time to locate them.
It is true that only one predator ends up with a meal during most hunts. Nevertheless, the benefits of this partnership outweigh the risks, which is why both these creatures have teamed up on this alliance for a very long time. Furthermore, there are many documented occasions where the two predators have shared the kill.
But coyotes and badgers are not always friends. While their interactions appear to be mutually beneficial, they sometimes prey on each other, too. They tend to collaborate during the warmer months but part ways in the winter. Since the badger can dig up hibernating prey very quickly, there is no need for the coyote. However, as the season changes eventually to spring, the duo will start needing each other again. And just like they have been doing for thousands of years, they will welcome their differences, make peace, and get back to work!
When it comes to dynamic duos in the wild, the coyote and badger are probably among the most unusual pairings. They share an interesting relationship that helps both these species survive while also bringing them together. This unlikely alliance has been around for as long as humans have been there to notice, if not longer. Native Americans observed this collaboration and weaved it into their folktales. It’s undoubtedly a fascinating example of mutualism from which we can glean lessons on the importance of teamwork and cooperation despite our differences!
