* Digging: Their primary use is for digging burrows. Badgers are expert excavators, creating elaborate underground homes with tunnels and chambers. The long claws help them loosen soil, move large amounts of dirt, and create stable burrows.
* Foraging: The claws are also helpful for foraging. They help them dig for food, such as worms, grubs, and small mammals.
* Defense: The claws can be used as a defensive weapon, especially when threatened. They can deliver powerful swipes and scratches that can inflict serious damage.
So, in short, badgers have long claws primarily for digging, foraging, and defense, making them well-adapted to their underground lifestyle.