Squirrel Poop Traditional Geocache
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Size: 
(regular)
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My first hide at the end of our road. The squirrels were running all over the cache location. I hope they won't eat it.
The California Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus beecheyi, is a common and easily observed ground squirrel of the western United States and the Baja California peninsula; it is common in Oregon and California and its range has relatively recently extended into Washington.
California Ground Squirrels live in burrows which they excavate themselves. Some burrows are occupied communally. Although they readily become tame in areas used by humans, and quickly learn to take food left or offered by picnickers, they spend most of their time within 25 m of their burrow, and rarely go further than 50 m from it.
California Ground Squirrels are frequently preyed on by rattlesnakes. They are also preyed on by eagles, raccoons, foxes, badgers, and weasels.
Some populations of California Ground Squirrels have varying levels of immunity to rattlesnake venom as adults. Female squirrels with pups also chew on the skins shed by rattlesnakes and then lick themselves and their pups (who are never immune to venom before one month of age) to disguise their scent. Sand-kicking and other forms of harassment provoke the snake to rattle its tail, which allows a squirrel to assess the size and friskiness of the snake.
Another strategy is for a squirrel to super-heat and swish around its tail. When hunting, rattlesnakes primarily rely on their pit organ, which detects infra-red. The hot-tail-swishing appears to convey the message "I am not a threat, but I am too big and swift-moving for it to be worth trying to hunt me."
There are very few caches on this side of Hollister and this is the first of many I am planning on putting out on these back roads. This one is an easy drive up and grab. There is no reason to cross any fences.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fghzcrq?