Animals in the Wild [107 



for sharing the same burrows in friendly fashion. It is true that 

 these mammals, birds, and reptiles do inhabit the same western 

 regions; but that is all there is to the alliance. The owls dig holes 

 for themselves though they may put a prairie dog's burrow to 

 use under favorable circumstances; and a rattlesnake may occupy 

 the burrow of either animal. It is a most unwelcome intrusion, 

 however, probably resulting in the loss of the young of the rightful 

 home owners. 



THE WARY MARMOT 



Prairie dogs are related to the golden-mantled marmots 

 which are so numerous in some of our western national parks 

 where they have lost much of their fear of people. Even so, you 

 may see a group eating while one animal stands guard. Whenever 

 this lookout senses danger it gives a single sharp whistle and all 

 scurry for cover. Nevertheless, marmots combine some curiosity 

 with their caution, and if you are able to give a near-imitation of 

 their whistle, you can frequently get quite close to one for better 

 observation or for picture-taking. 



THE STRIPED GOPHER 



Still another prairie dweller that makes excellent burrows 

 is the striped gopher. Some, apparently used only for shelter, are 

 short. There are also longer burrows that end in nests where the 

 young are born. Adjoining rooms serve as storehouses for a large 

 supply of winter grain. 



Prospectors prize the gopher and other burrowers as good 

 "pardners" because the dirt thrown up around the opening of a 

 tunnel by the animal provides them with underground soil 

 samples. The prospector pans such dumps for gold traces. 



RACCOONS INGRATIATING AND INQUISITIVE 



If you have a camper son or daughter you may be startled 

 one of these days by the introduction into your home of a bright- 

 eyed pointed-faced creature with long, bushy fur. This will be a 

 raccoon that your youngster has adopted during the summer and 

 could not bear to leave behind. Provided there is enough space 



