Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-03-27
GoPHERS.
Some Of the Peculiaritfes of q Very De
structive Animal.

Some of the Peculiarities of q Very Do
%structive Animal.
The striped gopher (SpermopAi1us
tredectmlsmeatus) is an exceedingly ac-
tive species of marmot squirrel. 1t
prefers prairie regions for its home,
and digs deep burrows with many
branches. Its food consists of seeds,
roots, grain, and the like, which it ear
ries to its abode i'll its roomy cheek
pouches. When this animal is found in
large numbers near grain fields and
vegetable gardens, it is not a little de-
%structive, much preferring cultivated
vegetables to grass seeds and roots.
The striped gopher produces from three
to ten young at a birth. For the whole
sale destruction of this species in local
tiles where it is really 4 pest, know of
no better method thon the use of a
staunch ferret and a couple of strong
rat-killing terriers. Tho mode of using
both Will at once suggest itself,
being precisely the same as is
adopted for the exterm;nation of rats.
Common wire rat-traps are useful for
dlsposing of this marmot where it
is not necessary to wage wholesale war
against it. This is a most beautiful
species; the color above is dark brown
banded with light stripes, alternating
with lines of dots. The head and body
measures six inches, the tail four inches
in length. The striped gopher is q
western species. found in prairie dis
tricts west of the Mississippi River.
and north of the State of Arkansas.
The gray gopher (Sprmophilus
frankhni) is much larger than the pre-
cteding species, measuring quite ten
inches from point of nose to root of
tail; the tail is five and one-half inches
long. The general color is yellowish
gray, notified with brown. This is the
common gopher Of Illinois and the
Northwestern States, and is well
known to all the farmers of that re-
gion. Though often a destructive nui-
sance. this marmot has some good
traits; it is fond OF grubs and weey1s.
and DESTROYS large numbers of these
pests. Its general food, breeding hab-
its, and mode of burrowing, closely re-
semble those OF the striped gopher. and
it may be disposed OF in the same man
e When too numerous. But its appe-
tlte for grubs should be remembered
n the little animal should not be too
relentlessly prosecuted. The cry of this
marmot is a hoarse chatter, quite unlike
the musical seek-seek of the striped
species. During the winter season all
the marmot squirrels retire to their
burrows, not showing themselves until
spring; they either strictly hibernate.
or at least spend the cold months in a
condition of lethargy, living on tho
store OF food they lave provided dur.
ing the summer. The gophers have
many enemies among the falcons
snakes. weasels and other c%arnivornn,,
animals. Their most relentless foo -
the American badger (Taridea amerl.
cana), which quickly digs them ont ~
their burrows by enlarging their hea -.
70 admit his own body, he being on, ~
the most expert miners in the wor,d
The gray gopher is good eating: when
TAT, quite equal to gray squirrel ~,
uavor: All the marmots aro raaa;i.,
tan,od, and make interesting claa uIy
and atfectionate pets.-R. W. Seiz ~
american C~ultir0tor S~' ."