Event Registration

Ready to bring your event to life in a one-of-a-kind, natural setting? At Wildlife Images, our rental spaces immerse you and your guests in breathtaking surroundings while offering unique encounters with rescued wildlife. Reserve your spot today, and let us help you create an unforgettable experience that supports our ongoing conservation and education efforts.

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Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Event Space(Required)

Rotary Pavilion

Critter Creek

Campus Takover

EST. Number of Attendees(Required)

Event Date(Required)

Backup Date(Required)

Event Start Time(Required)

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These times include any setup / teardown and cleanup for your event.

Event Add-ons

Animal Encounter + $100

All animal appearances occurring after operating hours will incur an additional after hours fee of $100.

Event Type(Required)

Event Notes

American Badger

Taxidea taxus

American badgers specialize in hunting burrowing rodents, so they are built for digging. They use their impressively long front claws to dig out dirt which they kick out behind them with their stubby hind legs. Their eyes have nictitating membranes to keep out debris and their ear canals are small to prevent blockage. Additionally, their loose skin allows them to turn around in tight underground corridors. Badgers can dig a burrow, hide inside it, and plug the entrance behind them in less than 90 seconds! These amazing diggers have even been documented to dig through concrete! Badgers primarily feed on ground squirrels and prairie dogs, both of which are known for digging tunnels with lots of escape routes. Interestingly, badgers frequently block these extra entrances with dirt, rocks, or wood chunks before digging into the main nest. Some researchers also believe that badgers and coyotes hunt cooperatively; coyotes often wait nearby while badgers are hunting, snagging rodents as they run out of the tunnels to escape. It’s possible that some rodents spot the coyotes waiting outside and turn back around, which would then benefit the badgers as well.

In addition to controlling rodent populations, American badgers are vital to creating healthy ecosystems. A single badger is estimated to dig at least 1,100-1,700 burrows every year! By churning up that much soil, they distribute important nutrients and mix soil types. This allows for greater plant diversity. Additionally, abandoned badger burrows create homes for a wide range of other species, including spiders, snakes, lizards, burrowing owls, rabbits, skunks, and rodents. Coyotes are the main predator of badgers, although bears, cougars, wolves, golden eagles, and other badgers can also pose a threat. However, badgers have been known to stand down bears, cougars, and even vehicles! Their black-and-white facial markings are thought to make these tenacious predators stand out and to warn potential attackers to stay away.

Nugget (F) Born: Spring 2016 | Arrived: July 2016

Nugget was taken to a rehabilitation center in Utah as an orphaned young badger. Because she was so young, she did not learn the skills necessary to survive in the wild. At times she can be very vocal and has a unique personality.

Diet:
Ground squirrels, prairie dogs, small rodents, skunks, hares, reptiles (including rattlesnakes), insects, honey, fruit, carrion

Range:
Most of western and central North America

Lifespan:
4-12 years / up to 25 years

Habitat:
Open grassland, high sagebrush, open desert, open woodlands

Length / Wingspan:
16-28 inches

Weight:
8-26 lbs

Event Registration

Event Registration

American Badger

Taxidea taxus

The Park

Summer Hours

In the Wild