58 MAMMALS OF UTAH 



clusively in high dry places, the verdant clay banks and the 

 wooded gravelly ridges of the upper mountains. While prov- 

 ender is good the woodchuck ordinarily does not stroll more 

 than one hundred yards from home, though at times when 

 food is scarce he may in the day or at night go a mile or 

 more to new fields. This is the only migration known of the 

 species. 



When chased the woodchuck rushes into its burrow, digs 

 a new side tunnel and fills the entrance behind him. He is a 

 most sanitary animal for, during the winter, all excrement 

 is hidden in a dry earth chamber in the den, and, in summer, 

 a midden heap as big as a half bushel measure is gradually 

 formed at the entrance to the burrow. 



Seldom, except during the voluptuous activity of early 

 spring, does a grown woodchuck have any adult companions 

 in the burrow. Mating takes place in the middle of March, 

 though there is some evidence of pairing in the autumn. 



The young, two to eight, but usually four or five, are 

 born in April and are blind until one month old. Being full 

 grown at the end of August they issue forth and build a 

 number of holes near by. 



In the autumn old and young prepare for winter by eat- 

 ing until they are so fat that they can hardly waddle. The 

 winter nests are warmly lined but no food is stored away in 

 them. Towards the last of September the woodchucks curl 

 up in winter sleep, never emerging except in exceptional 

 weather. 



Being partial to twilight the woodchuck rambles usually 

 when the moon is shining. He is slow on foot and in an 

 emergency relies on reaching his burrow. He can climb a 

 tree though not so cleverly as can a porcupine, or squirrel, 

 and never without a running start. He swims poorly and 

 like a rabbit does not drink, depending on dews and plant 

 juices. 



When cornered a woodchuck will whistle an alarm, and 

 grate its teeth so hard that splinters may fall. 



GOLDEN-MANTLED MARMOT 



MARMOTA FLAVIVENTRIS NOSOPHORA (HoweU) 



Marmota f laviventer nosophora, Howell, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash- 

 ington, XXVII, 1914, p. 15. 



Description— Underfur of upper parts at base blackish 

 brown on forepart of body, becoming fuscous on hinder 



