Environmental Report 1998

Abstract

The American badger (Taxidea taxus), a relatively rare animal in California, receives protection at Site 300 as one of three keystone species. American badgers are nocturnal fossorial creatures with long, well-developed claws to dig dens and pursue ground-dwelling prey such as ground squirrels. Dens may be 5 to 30 ft long and contain an enlarged chamber of 2 to 3 ft for birthing. The badgers at Site 300 are significant creators of microhabitat that can be used by other special-status wildlife including western burrowing owls, California red-legged frogs, and San Joaquin whipsnakes. At LLNL, field reconnaissance surveys are conducted before ground is disturbed to determine if animals are present. If occupied dens are discovered during field evaluations, certain restrictions may be implemented to protect the badger during project development.Jim S. Woollett, Jr., LLNL's wildlife biologist, provided the cover photo.