Believe it or not, badgers hunting skunks is uncommon but does happen, especially in harsh environments like Western North Dakota where both species share overlapping habitats.

The American badger is a fierce carnivore that mainly digs for rodents like ground squirrels and mice, but it also preys on small mammals, including skunks. Skunks usually deter predators with their powerful spray, earning them the nickname “fart squirrels,” but badgers—with their thick fur and their own strong musky scent—are less bothered by this defense than most predators.

A 2019 study in Montana’s grasslands found that badgers may opportunistically hunt unusual prey like skunks during late fall or winter when their typical food is scarce.

In this case, a family of skunks crossing a highway likely caught the badger’s attention, leading it to target a vulnerable individual, probably a juvenile. This behavior highlights the badger’s adaptability in making the most of available prey in tough conditions.

[📹 matthew.vera & prestonoutdoors]