Wisconsin State Mammal
Badger (common name) Taxidea taxus (scientific name) Overview The badger became an official state symbol in 1957 when Wisconsin became "the Badger State," but it was an emblem of Wisconsin for years before that. Images of badgers appear on the state coat of arms and flag, and badgers are mentioned in the state song. Even the University of Wisconsin has a badger for a mascot. At first glance, it can be difficult to see what positive traits Wisconsinites feel badgers have. They are generally solitary and ill-tempered, and best left alone. However, they’re also tough and tenacious, positive attributes for long-ago pioneers and modern sports teams. Close-up STATUS Official State Animal ALSO KNOWN AS Brock (England) PHYSICAL DETAILS A badger’s throat and chin are white, and its face has unusual markings created by two stripes that run from its nose to its shoulders or rump, depending on the region. Its ears are small, round, and upright, set far apart on top of the animal’s head. A badger’s lower jaw is connected to its upper jaw in an unusually strong way, allowing the animal to bite with force and hold on firmly. It’s an important adaptation that lets a badger bite hard for its size and maneuver from side to side while its teeth are still clamped on its prey. Badgers are stocky and low to the ground, with short, solid legs. Badgers see, smell, and hear exceptionally well.    Males Females Size 27.5–34.5 in (700–875 mm) from head to tail; tail from 5.5–6 in (145–155 mm) of the entire length 20–27.5 in (520–700 mm) from head to tail; tail from 4–5 in (100–130 mm) of the entire length Weight 17.5–26.5 lbs (8–12 kg) 8–17.5 lbs (4–8 kg) LIFESPAN Up to 26 years; average of 11 years in the wild HABITAT Dry, open grasslands, fields, and pastures from high alpine regions to sea level. Range: Mostly in North America’s Great Plains region, north through the central western Canadian provinces into more suitable habitat through the western United States and Mexico. Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC). Badgers have actually extended their range over time. BEHAVIOR Badgers are fairly solitary, so only about five live within every square mile even in the best habitats. They are expert diggers and easily dig through soil to construct intricate tunnels up to 10 meters in length and three meters in depth. In the summertime, badgers dig several burrows within their territory and may not reuse a burrow for up to a month. Badgers breed in late summer or early fall and gestate for about six weeks, but delayed implantation means that one to five cubs are born in early spring. Cubs are born blind with only sparse fur. They are ready to go outside at five to six weeks of age and leave home at five to six months. Top land speed recorded: 16–19 mph (25–30 kph) DIET Mostly pocket gophers, ground squirrels, moles, marmots, prairie dogs, wood rats, kangaroo rats, deer mice, and voles. They also prey on ground-nesting birds such as bank swallows and burrowing owls, as well as on lizards, amphibians, carrion, fish, hibernating skunks, insects including bees, and honeycomb. They also occasionally eat plants, such as corn and sunflower seeds. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual Birthing period: March–April Average litter size: 3 cubs Size at birth: 3.2 oz (93.5 g) TRIVIA Wisconsin got the nickname "The Badger State" because the state's lead miners of the 1830s lived in caves rather than houses, leading them to be dubbed "badgers." This nickname quickly became well known in Wisconsin and across the nation, so that all Wisconsinites were known as  "badgers." Occasionally, badgers cooperate with coyotes when hunting. Badgers can dig prey out of their burrows, but coyotes are much faster at chasing animals on land.
	Click to enlarge an image Badger Close-up of Badger Nocturnal Badger CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Subfamily: Mustelinae Genus: Taxidea Species: T. Taxus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

Wisconsin State Mammal
White-tailed Deer (common name) Odocoileus virginianus (scientific name) Overview The white-tailed deer is native to the United States and a common sight in all but a few states. It is the most popular choice in the country as a state animal, having been designated as such by Arkansas in 1993, Illinois in 1980, Nebraska in 1981, New Hampshire in 1983, Ohio in 1988, Pennsylvania in 1959, and South Carolina in 1972. Michigan (1997) and Mississippi (1974) also include it among their designated state animals. The whitetail is a medium-sized brown deer that was an important source of food and leather for the indigenous peoples of the country. It remains the country’s most important game animal and is prized for its meat (called "venison") and the challenge of hunting it, especially with a bow and arrow. Whitetails are larger in the northern part of its range and the smallest sub-species can be found in the southernmost part of the US in the Florida Keys. Close-up STATUS Official State Wildlife Animal ALSO KNOWN AS Virginia deer, Columbian white-tailed deer, Southern white-tailed deer, whitetail PHYSICAL DETAILS Reddish brown in summer and grayish brown in winter. A small population of white (not albino) deer is found in upstate New York. Males shed their antlers from late December to February and re-grow them every year in late spring when they are covered with a fuzzy tissue known as "velvet."    Males Females Size length 4–8 ft (120-240 cm); shoulder height 32–42 in (80-106 cm) length 62–87 in (160-220 cm); height 32–40 in (80-100 cm) Weight 130–300 lbs (60 kg–130 kg); average 250 lbs (114 kg); largest 500 lbs (230 kg) 90–200 lbs (40–90 kg); average 150 lbs (68 kg) LIFESPAN Up to 15 years; average of 2–3 years in the wild HABITAT Range: Southern Canada to Peru; absent from California, Nevada, and Utah; introduced to parts of Europe and New Zealand. Conservation: Least Concern (LC). Deer were severely depleted throughout their range in the U.S. by the late 1800s and early 1900s. Hunting restrictions brought populations back to historic levels, but then the elimination of the animal’s natural predators led to an overpopulation of whitetail deer over much of its range. BEHAVIOR Whitetails will stay completely still when they sense danger and then will raise their tail in a flash of white and run away at great speed. They are athletic animals that can jump 8-foot (2.5-m) fences and swim at 13 mph (21 kph). Male deer ("bucks") grow antlers they use for marking trees in their territory and sparring with other males to determine the hierarchy within the herd. Bucks rarely eat or rest during the mating season (the "rut") when they will attempt to mate with as many females as possible. Whitetail females ("does") will tenaciously defend their fawns, up to the point of risking their own lives. Top land speed recorded: 40 mph (64 kph) DIET Plant shoots, twigs, buds, leaves, pine needles, cactus, grasses, acorns, wild apples, plums, corn, mushrooms, sumac, hay, and grains. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual Birthing period: May–June Average litter size: 1–3 fawns Size at birth: 3–14 lbs (1.4–6.3 kg); average 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) for females and 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) for males TRIVIA The white-tailed deer is an iconic symbol of the American wilderness. Davy Crockett and his buckskin attire symbolized how Americans adapted to their environment and conquered the vast wilderness. Whitetail-related stories like The Yearling and Bambi are a part of the national culture. Deer hunting is also an extremely popular sport and an important source of income in many rural areas. Many collegiate and professional sports teams are named after the whitetail, including the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team. A profile of a whitetail buck’s head appears on the state flag and the coat of arms of the state of Vermont.
	Click to enlarge an image Male White-tailed Deer (Buck) Female White-tailed Deer (Doe) with Fawn Young Spotted Fawn White-tailed Deer with New Antler Growth CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Subfamily: Capreolinae Genus: Odocoileus Species: O. virginianus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

Wisconsin State Mammal
Dairy Cow (common name) Bos primigenius taurus (scientific name) Overview It is thought that cattle have been domesticated for 5,000 to as many as 10,000 years. Cows first came to the United States from the Netherlands as early as the 17th century. Dutch immigrants brought them to New York State, which at that time was the Dutch colony of New Netherland. At one time, cows were used for milk, meat, and farm labor, but today they are mainly bred for milk, meat, or both. A dairy cow is an adult female bovine bred for the production of large amounts of milk, about 15–25 gallons (57–95 liters) or more per day. Providing about 90 percent of the milk consumed by people, dairy cows are sometimes called the "foster mothers of the human race." To produce milk, a cow must be bred and produce a calf every year. The average dairy cow has her first calf when she is between 21 and 26 months of age. A cow is then milked for three to four years, at which time it is usually slaughtered for beef. Close-up STATUS Official State Domesticated Animal ALSO KNOWN AS Dairy cattle PHYSICAL DETAILS There are several breeds of dairy cows, but Holsteins are by far the most common in the United States, accounting for over 90 percent of dairy cows nationwide. Holsteins originated in what is now the Netherlands, and have been bred to use grass efficiently and to produce large amounts of milk. Holsteins are recognized by their large black spots on a white background coat, but they may be also mainly black with some spots of white. Size: Adults are approximately 57–60 inches (145–150 cm) tall at the shoulder. Weight: Adults typically weigh 1,500 pounds (680 kg). LIFESPAN A cow’s normal lifespan is approximately 25 years. Dairy cows are usually not productive after three to six years. Cows used for meat are commonly slaughtered between three and four years of age. HABITAT Dairy cows originated in Europe and the Middle East, and are now found worldwide. They live on family farms with just a few cows or on factory farms of several hundred to as many as 25,000 cows. BEHAVIOR Since a dairy cow is a domesticated animal, its behavior—including what it eats, where it lives, and when it breeds—is largely controlled by its owner, the farmer. By nature, cows are mild tempered and need quiet to ruminate. Cattle tend to remain in herds.   DIET A dairy cow can drink 20–50 gallons (75–190 liters) of water and eat about 40 pounds (18 kg) of food every day. Cows are ruminants, which means they chew their cud to aid in digestion. Cud is partially digested food that needs the help of the bacteria and protozoans present in the cow’s rumen (one of four stomach chambers) in order to completely break down. This process helps the cow digest foods that are otherwise indigestible, such as grass, hay, shrubs, seeds, and fermented grass or corn called silage. It takes many days for these plant materials to be digested. A cow spends about six hours a day eating and chews her cud for up to eight hours a day. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annually Birthing period: 9 months Average litter size: 1 calf Size at birth: 65–90 pounds (30–41 kg) TRIVIA Wisconsin and California dairy farms produce the most milk in the United States. Although a particular breed was not chosen, the state of Wisconsin designated the dairy cow as the official state domesticated animal in 1971. Milk travels from the cow to the grocery store in about 48 hours. Slaughtering cows goes against Hinduism and cow slaughter is banned by law in most of Hindu-majority India. As a result, Indian cows are often released to roam the streets or are sent to cow rest homes. An Indian bovine shelter that houses old, sick, and neglected cows, cattle, and calves is called a goshala or gaushala, Sanskrit for "cow sanctuary."
	Click to enlarge an image Grazing Dairy Cows CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Subfamily: Bovinae Genus: Bos Species: B. primigenius Subspecies: B. p. taurus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

Wisconsin State Mammal
American Water Spaniel (common name) Canis lupus familiaris (scientific name) Overview The American water spaniel is a gundog breed, used to assist hunters with finding and retrieving game. Although the true origin of the breed is not known, what is known is that the American water spaniel was developed in Wisconsin in the mid 19th century, probably in the Fox River and Wolf River valleys. The breed was developed to be a retriever of wildfowl as well as upland game and even fish. Hunters needed a smaller dog that could easily fit into a hunter’s canoe or skiff, and a sturdy breed with a thick coat that could stay warm in harsh Midwestern winters. The American water spaniel may be a cross between the curly-coated retriever, the Irish water spaniel, and the extinct English water spaniel. The American water spaniel was a very popular breed in the 1920s and 1930s. The United Kennel Club recognized it as a new breed in 1920. The breed was first registered with the American Kennel Club in 1940 as a member of its sporting group. In 1986, the American Water Spaniel was designated the official state dog of Wisconsin. Close-up STATUS Official State Dog PHYSICAL DETAILS The American water spaniel is known for its thick, wavy or tightly curled coat. The characteristic uniform waves often present in this breed’s coat are called marcel. Smaller than other retrievers, the American water spaniel is a medium-sized dog that can be solid liver, brown, or dark chocolate in color. Size: 15–18 in (38–46 cm) at the shoulder at the shoulder Weight: Males typically weigh about 30–45 lb (14–20 kg), and females average about 25–40 lb (11–18 kg). LIFESPAN An American water spaniel normally lives 12 to 15 years. HABITAT The American water spaniel originated in the United States and is little known outside North America. The population has declined in recent decades. Fewer than 200 dogs are now registered with the American Kennel Club each year. BEHAVIOR This dog was bred for its good nose, fondness for water, and eagerness for the hunt. Today, it is often employed as a hunting dog, and also as a watchdog. The American water spaniel is friendly, intelligent, and relatively easy to train, making the breed a good pet. This active dog requires daily exercise and regular brushing. DIET Dogs are omnivores, requiring protein in their diet for optimal health. Grains and vegetables can also make up large portions of a dog’s diet. Dogs are natural scavengers, but a pet’s diet normally consists of food supplied by its owner. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Biannually Birthing period: 63 days Average litter size: Usually 4–6 puppies TRIVIA A truly American breed, the American water spaniel is one of only 12 breeds known to have originated in the United States. The American water spaniel was the first breed developed in the United States as an all-around hunter that could retrieve from boats. Dr. F.J. Pfeifer of New London, Wisconsin, is credited with promoting the American water spaniel in the early 20th century. In 1988, a historic marker was erected in New London to mark the birthplace of the breed.
	Click to enlarge an image American Water Spaniel CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canus Species: C. lupus Subspecies: C. l. familiaris
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press