566 



Life-histories of Northern Animals 



SOLITARY The talpoides seems to be a solitary animal. I usually found 

 that, after trapping one, the mound upheaval ceased in that tun- 

 nel for a time. An exception to this was observable in late May 



(fottor) 

 Fig. 162 — Life studies of Thomomys talpoides. 



and early June, when I commonly got two, a male and a female, 

 before the signs of activity ceased in that particular labyrinth. 

 Being neither sociable nor gregarious, the Gopher has not 

 developed many methods of intercommunication. 



SOUNDS Ordinarily it is silent. When taken alive it hisses, grinds 



its teeth, and sometimes utters a low snarling. 



