BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- There is a new resident at the California Living Museum (CALM).

It is Francis, an eight year-old, American badger, who comes to CALM from Wildlife Care of Ventura County, where he resided for several years after fires had devastated his native habitat, Lara Fain reported.

CALM's last badger named Cali, passed away at age 15, Fain stated.

Francis’ residence will be near the raptors enclosure in the northeast section of the zoo.

Badgers’ life expectancy is about 15-20 years. They are short-legged, heavy-set carnivores in the weasel family.

Their lower jaw is articulated so that dislocation of the jaw is all but impossible. This enables the badger to maintain a tenacious hold on its prey.

Their power extends from the jaws to mighty front limbs. Badgers are fossorial (digging) carnivores and often take items down the holes they excavate.

They have been known to dig through asphalt driveways in less than two minutes by using the long nails on the front legs as digging tools.

In spite of their power, badgers do partner with other animals in the wild. They have provided morsels of food for coyotes by stirring up ground rodents with their digging. It is not uncommon to find them sharing a den with foxes.

For more information, please check the Web site, http://www.calmzoo.org.

Information provided by the California Living Museum