Though not common, a badger has been seen around South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Most people who have spent time around Lake Tahoe have never caught sight of a badger. Even though they've been known to live around the lake and around trees, they are more likely found on wide open terrain like the Carson Pass where they can chase squirrels.

Just this past week though, two people have spotted a badger on the South Shore.

One was spotted in Rabe Meadow and one was spotted in the Ski Run/Wildwood area. They could be the same badger and it is unknown if the camera shots were of the same animal, or two.

Badgers are short-legged omnivores in the family Mustelidae (which also includes the otters, wolverines, martens, minks, polecats, weasels, and ferrets). Even though they have short legs, they cover large areas and are always on the move looking for chipmunks and ground squirrels, their favorite food. They are highly mobile and the young males of a clan will cast off and look for new terrain of their own.

Dr. Will Richardson, co-founder and executive director of the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) said there is a long history of badgers in the Lake Tahoe area, though they are not common. He said they are even mentioned in Robert Orr's 1949 book, "Mammals of Lake Tahoe."

Richardson said the area above Marlette Lake and around Mt. Rose are perfect terrain for the badger.

Labeled as nocturnal, they can be active any time of day said Richardson, even though he said they may feel more comfortable at night. Both of the photos above were taken during daylight hours.

There aren't many predators for badgers around Lake Tahoe and perhaps the biggest danger for them in an urban setting is a vehicle. Perhaps an eagle could grab a young badger, or they could be exposed to canine disease or distemper. Grizzlies are predators in northern areas.

"They can eat themselves out of house and home," said Richardson of the badger. "They need a good food supply."

Badgers don't like to be around humans and can be very mean if encountered.

There are other Mustelidae family members around Lake Tahoe. Minks can be found along the east shore and around marinas. Richardson said they like to hang out on unoccupied boats.

Badgers have strong limbs and sharp claws that help them dig burrows and find food underground. They make their homes by digging tunnels and caves and use grass and leaves for bedding. A badger’s home is called a sett. Setts have a special chamber reserved as the bathroom because badgers are clean creatures, according to the Somerset Wildlife Trust. They are also normally very social within their clans.

Richardson said they are learning more about the distribution of seldom seen animals in the Tahoe area. With COVID people were at home more, looking out windows and walking outdoors in forests, so there are more sightings of animals not thought to be common at the lake. Richardson said people were more connected to their surroundings and what they were seeing and connecting with TINS with reports.