Why is the badger Wisconsin’s state animal?
According to the Wisconsin Blue Book, in the 1800s, Wisconsin miners dug tunnels into the hillsides as they searched for lead. To stay warm during the frigid winter months, they would live in these tunnels, a practice greatly reminiscent of badger behavior. Thus, Wisconsin became known as the Badger state — but not officially. Although badgers had long been associated with our coat of arms, the state flag, the University of Wisconsin, the official seal and even the architecture of the state Capitol, it was not until 1957 that it became the official animal. Around that time, four elementary school students from Jefferson County discovered that the badger had no official status in Wisconsin and contacted their legislators. When a bill to nominate the badger as our state animal was introduced, opposition developed and a group of northern legislators introduced a separate bill nominating the white-tailed deer because of its strength, regal stature and economic value. A compromise was later
According to the Wisconsin Blue Book, in the 1800s, Wisconsin miners dug tunnels into the hillsides as they searched for lead. To stay warm during the frigid winter months, they would live in these tunnels, a practice greatly reminiscent of badger behavior. Thus, Wisconsin became known as the Badger state — but not officially. Although badgers had long been associated with our coat of arms, the state flag, the University of Wisconsin, the official seal and even the architecture of the state Capitol, it was not until 1957 that it became the official animal. Around that time, four elementary school students from Jefferson County discovered that the badger had no official status in Wisconsin and contacted their legislators. When a bill to nominate the badger as our state animal was introduced, opposition developed and a group of northern legislators introduced a separate bill nominating the white-tailed deer because of its strength, regal stature and economic value.
