Essential to the entire series of images taken with the fact that no one had the slightest idea that something like this would have been unable American badgers. And this despite the fact that solitary animals that weigh more than twelve kilograms and have a reputation for effective cleaning crews deserts of the American Midwest. But that would be a badger himself able to cope with large fifty kilograms carcass is really strange. From the surprise so far is based less biologist Ethan Frehner, which is in the desert near Utah's Great Basin gone in search of carrion. "The American badgers we know quite a lot in terms of morphology and genetics, but their intraspecific behavior for us has long featured white space to fill," he says. "And on this particular their specific expression we did not know at all."
Based on the terrain derived materials Frehner with colleagues highlights the fact that badgers are not likely to be something like "weight limit" carrion, they would not dare handle. This, however, greatly increases the importance of badgers at the disposal of carcasses. The discovery occurred by accident while. Evan Buechley, expert guarantor study mentions that the original intention was not even to biologists studying the behavior of badgers. In January of 2016 yen installed seven decaying carcasses of calves around utažských Grassy Mountains and provide their immediate surroundings fotopastmi. "We wondered who these carcasses winter visit and will participate at their disposal," says Buechley. "We focused mainly on the vultures and condors." But when biologists went after a week into the field to check, found them an entire carcass disappeared without a trace.
"We were pretty upset because it's really hard to get these carrion and bring them to the place," says utažští biologists. "A week after we all one has disappeared." The suspicion they were coyote or cougar, but it did not indicate traces. A recording of the camera and fotopastí soon pointed to the real killer. Badger spent burying the carcasses of five days during artfully made excavation did not leave anything to chance. After completing his work, he spent two weeks in the basement, and then on to the site-built pantry returned there in March. Biologist Tara Christensen, who is to evaluate the research also involved, although warns before we can polidšťovali badgers too, but she adds: "Really, after the work looks like a very, very happy badger."
Yet discreet and hidden way of life, living the American badger is thanks utažským biologists come to the fore. "The good news is mainly for local ranchers," says Buechley. "And despite the fact that just those looking for a badger with hostility." People had badgers can forgive the occasional trips chickens in coops. "But if you can only bury the entire body of a badger, it's good. Carcasses lying around on the plains are a source of infections and parasites and ranchers, it is the fundamental problem, "said Frehner. "Carcasses also attract large predators that might commit damage to farmed animals." Others carrion, eagles, vultures, ravens and coyotes, the carcass gradually stoked. Just badgers you can monopolize the supply of food and thoroughly clean it safely underground.
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Footage from other locations confirmed one more try another badger do the same work. "So this behavior is much more widespread," concluded utažští biologists.
All studies Subterranean caching of domestic cow (Bos taurus) carcasses by American Badgers (Taxidea taxus) in the Great Basin Desert.
Author: Radomír Dohnal
Source: Ekolist.cz