Cooperative foraging is a long-standing, central component of animal behavior. Cooperation occurs relatively commonly within the same species (intraspecific) as well as across species (interspecific), although much more rarely. Across western North America, coyotes and American badgers sometimes work together to hunt prairie dogs and ground squirrels using their complementary hunting skills. Badgers are excellent diggers and usually hunt belowground, digging up burrows searching for small mammals. Coyotes are opportunistic hunters that seek a wide variety of prey and mostly hunt aboveground. When coyotes and badgers work together, burrowing mammals, such as prairie dogs, are not safe above or belowground. If a coyote chases a prairie dog into its burrow, the badger has an opportunity to capture the animal, and if a prairie dog escapes the badger and comes aboveground, the coyote has an opportunity to catch it. Although this relationship is described by Indigenous people and early European settlers dating back to at least the 19th century, little research has been done to understand the circumstances in which these two carnivore species work together. To expand on the handful of recent studies, my project focuses on the spatial and temporal environmental conditions that influence when coyotes and badgers are together in prairie dog colonies. We conducted a broader study across five sites in South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. We predict that detection of coyote-badger associations increases closer to large colonies of colonial and semi-colonial burrowing mammals (P1). We also predict that detection of coyote-badger associations decreases closer to human disturbance, as both species may prioritize avoiding risk from humans over foraging success (P2). In our preliminary results, we are noticing most associations occur within prairie dog colonies. Temporally, we predict that detection of coyote-badger associations is lowest when both species are raising offspring (spring-summer), given that young offspring would be vulnerable to interspecific predation (P3). Preliminary results indicate higher coyote-badger detections in the fall. Finally, we predict that detection of coyote-badger associations is highest during nocturnal and crepuscular periods when both species are most active and more likely to be foraging (P4). Preliminary results suggest a diurnal trend in coyote-badger association during the day. Coyotes have a long history of misunderstanding since white European settlers arrived in America. Badgers are thought to be mean, vicious animals. Prairie dogs are also disliked because their burrowing habits potentially interfere with agriculture and cattle. I will share what I learned from our research about the coyote-badger relationship and their larger prairie ecosystem home through short videos, photos, and an all-encompassing online Storymap to create fascination and wonder about these species and the unique relationship they form with one another. Ultimately, I hope my project will shine a light on the overlooked and endangered grasslands and the species that call it home.

Bio - Emma is a master’s student at UNL working with Michael Forsberg, John Benson, and Platte Basin Timelapse studying the coyote-badger hunting relationship in prairie dog colonies across the west. Through this project, she is contributing new scientific and behavioral insights about this intriguing relationship while also communicating the story to a diverse audience through high-quality photos and video; ultimately shining a light on the often-overlooked grasslands.