Vanessa Bower, age 10, of Columbus, Ohio, for her question:

WHAT DOES THE BADGER EAT?

Badger is the common name for animals of the Meles and Taxida family. the group is characterized by short, strong legs, elongated feet that are more or less plantigrade (meaning that the heels touch the ground) and straight, strong toes adapted to burrowing.

Badgers are omnivorous, which means they eat both plant and animal foods. they enjoy fruits, roots, beechnuts, eggs, young birds, frogs, snails, worms and insects. They also feed on honey and on the larvae of wasps and wild bees.

The American badger is native to the western regions of North America, as far east as Ohio and north to southern Canada. It grows to be about two and a half feet long.

Badgers live in dens and are mostly nocturnal. They have perineal glands, which emit an offensive odor.

The pelts of badgers have considerable value as furs and the hairs are used in the manufacture of shaving and other types of brushes.