Badger Bones

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The skull of a badger (viewed from the front)

Note the broad muzzle, and the prominent sagittal crest along the top of the head. The crest is much less prominent in young cubs.

The skull of a badger (viewed from the side)

Note how the jaw interlocks with the skull. The jaw can be moved but not totally detached from the skull.

The skull of a badger (viewed from the back)

Note the prominent Sagittal crest along the top of the head. The crest helps to strengthen the badgers skull against damage when it is digging through heavy ground and when it has to push heavy stones out of the way. The crest is much less prominent in young cubs. The depressed areas to either side of the crest provide good anchoring points for the powerful jaws muscles.

The skull of a badger (viewed from the top)

Again, note the prominent sagittal crest along the top of the head. The crest is much less prominent in young cubs.

The fossilised skull of a badger

Note the massively-strong molar-type teeth at the back of the mouth. These give the badger an exceptionally strong bite, which provides a very strong grinding action. This is why badgers can crunch through things like chicken bones!