Expert: Jonathan Wright - 10/22/2006

Question
This is a follow-up to my question and your answer to me question on what could possibly be burrowing such a large hole in my yard and how dangerous it might be.  
You answered that you believe it is a badger due to the size of the hole.  I don't know if I agree with that because I have never seen a badger here unless they are strictly nocturnal which would explain that.  What other than a badger would dig an 8 to 10 inch diameter hole?
Thank you

Answer
Dear Debbie

Thanks for your follow-up question. I chose the badger, because it seemed to match most of the criteria you listed. If the animal isn’t a badger, there are a few alternative animals it could be, but I’m afraid I can’t give you a definitive answer, although I think the animal is probably a woodchuck. I wish to thank the authors of the websites I have used.

http://72.14.221.104/search?q=cache:UUZNMZ2CM7UJ:dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/pu... gives a list of mammals living in Wisconsin. Chipmunks make burrows in woodland, but the burrow you’ve got is too big. The coyote lives in underground dens at the base of a cliff or under a stump, while wolves may den in holes 6-12 feet deep. They could be a possibility, but I think this is very unlikely, as I think you would have heard, and possibly seen, them. I think that grey or red foxes are more likely, especially if they have taken over a woodchuck burrow. Pocket gophers build extensive underground tunnels. There are mounds of earth, but no entrance tunnel. As you describe a big hole, I think I can discount pocket gophers. Moles, jumping mice and shrews may also burrow underground, but I think they are too small to make the entrance hole you describe. Weasels may use abandoned mole runs, but they are another group of animals that are probably too small to make the holes.  Thirteen-lined and Franklin ground squirrels also make underground burrows, but the entrances are smaller than those stated above. Woodchucks may have multiple entrances to their dens, so this is another possibility.

The woodchuck (see http://www.fcps.edu/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/woodchuck.htm http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/mammals/woodchuck/  and http://ed.fnal.gov/entry_exhibits/woodchuck/woodchuck.html ) makes large burrows, which can be up to 5 feet deep and 30 feet long. The main entrance can be a foot wide, with dirt piled beside it, so this matches the size of the burrow on your land. http://landscaping.about.com/cs/pestcontrol/a/groundhog_day_2.htm has details about controlling woodchucks. I don’t think the woodchuck poses much risk to your small dog, but it has got a powerful bite and is best avoided. Please note that, while a woodchuck may have made the burrow, other animals, such as skunks, foxes, weasels, opossums and rabbits, use the burrows for their dens, so the current occupant need not be a woodchuck.

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/mammal/redfox.htm has information about foxes.

I think it would be best for you to look for footprints and make plaster casts of them (see http://www.wildyorkshire.co.uk/naturediary/docs/2003/5/5.html) for details. You can then match the footprints with the details at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/track.htmor in any good book about North American mammals, such as 'Mammals of North America' by Roland W. Kays and Don E. Wilson.
    
I would hazard a guess that the animal is a woodchuck, or perhaps a fox using a woodchuck burrow.

I hope this helps.

All the best

Jonathan