I was surprised to learn that I have badgers practically in my back yard-- in the San Francisco Bay area!
Note: scroll down on "widespread" for global distribution map. posted by agentofselection at 9:49 PM on May 12, 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_badger Its ferocious reputation extends to attacks on animals much larger than itself. Several African tribes report that the honey badger attacks the scrotum of larger mammals if provoked and has even castrated humans. While these reports remain uncorroborated by firsthand evidence, there is some circumstantial evidence such as remains of castrated waterbuck and gnu found in Kruger National Park.[citation needed] posted by sebastienbailard at 10:12 PM on May 12, 2007
My first comment on metafilter and I'm following up the badger badger badger with another species: footy.
Much more fun than the first. posted by valentinepig at 10:17 PM on May 12, 2007
DEFRA's (UK agriculture ministry) badger cull is a horrible policy. I recall reading that a better and cheaper solution would be to fence off toilet areas, as badgers use the same sites to defecate and it would only be through faeces that TB transmission could occur, if at all. posted by Abiezer at 10:17 PM on May 12, 2007
My wife and I recently came across a children's book that had the phrase "kind Mr. Badger" next to a smiling anthropomorphized badger. We both shuddered, and decided not to ever buy anything by that author for our nieces and nephews. I think we had the same mental image of a toddler trying to pet a badger and getting bitten to hell for it. posted by BrotherCaine at 1:29 AM on May 13, 2007
po: no, that was my first read too. Capital-G Gore is quite different than lowercase-g gore. :) posted by Malor at 6:15 AM on May 13, 2007
Then of course there is the Wolverine. (warning, this is a youtube video of a wolf and a wolverine squaring off). posted by caddis at 6:22 AM on May 13, 2007
There is a truely excellent documentary on the honey badger, for which I can only find a couplelinks and no videos. It was called "The Meanest Animal on Earth". If you ever get the chance to watch it... posted by batou_ at 7:07 AM on May 13, 2007
If you're attacked by a badger, just jump over it. Keep doing this until it gives up or turns into another animal, like a fox, who might be friendlier. I learned this in my dream last night. posted by homunculus at 9:31 AM on May 13, 2007 [7 favorites]
Badger my ass. It's probably Milhouse. posted by ninjew at 9:44 AM on May 13, 2007
We both shuddered, and decided not to ever buy anything by that author for our nieces and nephews. I think we had the same mental image of a toddler trying to pet a badger and getting bitten to hell for it.
The eurasian badger is relatively gentle. They won't fight unless they're cornered. Thus, they are generally considered to be a pleasant animal in places like Britain.
Unlike the American badger, which can and does attack such diverse desert objects as coyotes, eagles, and vans full of New Mexico Tech Geology 101 students. posted by vorfeed at 9:48 AM on May 13, 2007
From zamboni's shaving brush link: In addition, sometimes a customer has mentioned hearing that badger are sheared like sheep and ask if this is true? Mr. Watterson indicated that from his vantage point badger are not sheared like sheep.
This is why we as a species need to evolve. Some distant day, centuries from now, there will be someone badass enough to fill the job of "Badger Shearer". And he will be worshipped as a god.
I love badgers, the thrill of seeing one irately shuffle his way across a freshly-turned field almost made sitting in an unairconditioned tractor for 10 hours bearable.
Almost. posted by Alvy Ampersand at 12:27 PM on May 13, 2007
Note: scroll down on "widespread" for global distribution map.
posted by agentofselection at 9:49 PM on May 12, 2007