Western Woodchuck 147 
varying much, however, and depending, to a certain extent at least, 
on the character of the country. It seems to prefer rocky ground, 
and especially the rock slides on the sides of the mountains which 
are its favorite habitat. It is found from the north to the south 
boundary of the State, and from the Front Range west to the Utah 
line, wherever the country suits its needs. It is known from 
Larimer, Grand, Routt, Boulder, Summit, Eagle, Pitkin, Lake, 
Chaffee, Gunnison, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Delta, and Montrose 
counties, and no doubt occurs in the other mountain counties. 
FIG. 50. WESTERN WOODCHUCK, MarMota fiaviventer 
Half grown young. From life, E. R. Warren, Photo. 
Habits. — As stated above, the Woodchucks prefer rocky 
ground to live in, and much of the slide rock on our mountains 
seems to be fairly alive with them late on a summer after- 
noon when the animals are out securing their evening meal. 
They live in burrows and crevices among these rocks or else 
dig holes in the softer ground for homes. They are fond 
of sunning themselves near the mouths of their holes, and 
