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Artifact of the Month ArchiveNovember 2008
American badgers are found in open plains and prairies, farms, and some wood edges. Its range is increasing and can be found in most regions of the United States. This specimen was found south of Battle Creek on D Drive South. It usually avoids human contact but is very capable of defending itself against a human if harassed. The American badger is mostly nocturnal but is active during the day as well. A carnivore, it forages by visiting abandoned dens and digging up hibernating animals. Occasionally a badger will dig itself into an inhabited burrow and await the occupant’s return. Burrows or dens are central to the badger’s existence; it uses its many dens for sleeping, giving birth, and food storage. October 2008
This black ash basket was purchased from Stephanie Pigeon at the NHBP reservation in Fulton, Michigan. Believed to be traditional, the design shown here is an Ojibwa floral pattern. The basket is made from thin strips of black ash tree. Some of the stripes have been dyed red with Rit dye. Traditional ceremonial baskets are dyed with a mixture of blood root and blackberries. The black ash tree is the northern most of all ash trees and can be found throughout the Great Lakes Region. It’s soft but durable wood is ideal for basket making. September 2008
This mount was collected by Edward M. Brigham, Sr., Kingman Museum’s first director, in 1881 during one of his many expeditions to South America. The resplendent quetzal lives in the tropical rainforests of South and Central America. The male quetzal has a tail feather that can be up to three feet long. The female’s tail is much shorter. To the Mayans, it is a sacred bird and is shown in their artwork and legends. Quetzal is the official bird of Guatemala and the name for their currency. The resplendent quetzal is quickly loosing its habitat due to human invasion and without its natural habitat the species is doomed to extinction. August 2008
July 2008
The octopus lure is a devise used for attracting and catching octopi. It is commonly known in Hawaii as taco, a favorite Hawaiian meal. This lure is constructed from a tiger cowry shell, a stone for weight, plant rope, and bone hook. The octopus, which is attracted by the snail inside the cowry shell, is tricked because there is no snail, only a hook to catch it. Hawaiian day octopus, the most common octopus found in Hawaii, was probably caught with this lure. Although the donor is not listed on the object record, it is most likely that Edward M. Brigham, Sr. collected this lure while on one of his many expeditions. June 2008
This albino white-tailed deer was shot in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, near the Porcupine Mountains by Albert Bousson around 1968. White-tailed deer are able to survive in a variety of terrestrial habitats, from the big woods of northern Maine to the deep saw-grass and hammock swamps of Florida. Whitetail deer are the most nervous and shy of our deer. They can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and often enter large streams and lakes to escape predators or insects or to visit islands. Animals can be pure or partial albinos. Partial albinos have some of the coloration typical of their species, but parts of their bodies appear white. Pure albinos have pink eyes and their fur is completely white.
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All photos and content ©2008 Kingman Museum, Inc. unless otherwise
noted.
The mission of Kingman Museum is to promote an understanding and appreciation of our natural world, the universe, and human cultures. Full Mission/Vision
Kingman Museum
175 Limit Street
Battle Creek, MI 49017
Phone: (269) 965-5117 ~ Fax: (269) 965-3330
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