28 
WILD AMERICANS 
"With his tail?" Buck and Ginger asked together. 
Even Mrs. Blair, who stood nearby, looked question- 
ingly at Uncle Ely. 
"Yes, with his tail. A gopher s tail is so sensitive 
that he can tell what kind of food it touches, and it 
aids in guiding him around his underground hallways. 
The scientists tell us his is a most unusual tail. 
"I should think so!” agreed Mother. 
"Look at his strong teeth, used for cutting roots, 
and the long sharp front claws used for digging. He 
digs dirt, then pushes it up with his shoulders, to 
make these mounds you see.” 
"But here, children, is the strangest thing of all. 
Did you know that the gopher is an animal with 
pockets?” 
"No!” 
"Yes, he is. Beside each jaw is a little pocket in his 
fur, just like the hip pocket in your trousers, Buck. 
It is big enough for you to put your thumb in, and 
about one inch deep in a big gopher. See?” 
It was indeed a strange thing—a furry little beast 
with two cheek pockets. Uncle Ely explained that 
he carried food there, from wherever he found it, 
down his long hallways to his nest. 
The gopher nest is made of grass several feet under 
