UPDATE MARCH 2020: This is now an offset geocache at N +.021 / W +.101 because the original coordinates are now inside a parking-restricted area. Instead of searching behind the building, the search will be in front of the building. PLEASE BE STEALTHY, I have added a spoiler photo just in case. Enjoy!
Do you fish? Do you game? Both? Neither? If you'll be active outdoors in the Boise Metropolitan Area (Ada, Boise, Canyon, Gem, and Owyhee counties), chances are good you'll come across these types of rodents. These critters are numerous and cute, so we've rolled out this geocache to inform visitors to the area about two particular types of these rodents: Yellow-bellied Marmots and Piute Ground Squirrels.
YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOTS Marmota flaviventris, also known as the rock chuck, is a large, stout-bodied ground squirrel in the marmot genus. It is one of fourteen species of marmots, and is native to mountainous regions of southwestern Canada and western United States. The fur is mainly brown, with a dark bushy tail, yellow chest and white patch between the eyes, and they weigh up to approximately 5 kg (11 lbs). They live in burrows in colonies of up to twenty individuals with a single dominant male. They are diurnal and feed on plant material, insects, and bird eggs. They hibernate for approximately eight months starting in September. For more IF&G information: (visit link).
PIUTE GROUND SQUIRRELS Urocitellus mollis is the Piute ground squirrel, plentiful in the Boise area because it has adapted to desert life. They feed on a variety of leaves, stems, roots, bulbs, flowers, and seeds, and will also eat insects and carrion. When it is hottest, around midday, they forage in the shade or use their burrows to rest and cool off. If you see them scurry across the road to retreat to their hillside burrows, they look like Dr. Suess-designed streaking grey commas! They close the entrance to the burrow each evening with a plug of soil. The Piute ground squirrel has a body range of length between 20-23cm (7-8 inches), and a weight range of 82-205g (3-7oz.). Its name derives from the Paiute indigenous peoples of the Great Basin (visit link). For more IF&G information on the squirrel: (visit link).
WHISTLE PIGS? "Whistle Pig" is a somewhat generic term that refers to ground squirrels in Idaho. It refers to a whistling noise vigilant sentries make as a warning signal to their colony. Is the term more specific to either of the animals above? I don't think so, but I'd like to know for sure. My experience with marmots is that when threatened, the chatter instead of whistling. Please feel free to message me with more information if you have it, I'd like this geocache write-up to serve as a resource and reference.
WHY SHOULD A GEOCACHER CARE ABOUT THESE ANIMALS?
1. Yellow-bellied marmots get big and strong enough to abuse and/or move geocache containers. I've come across metal ammo cans with an extra rock thrown in to make the weight "mischief inconvenient" for a rock chuck. Any micro-sized container is likely to be off the ground, in sagebrush. Plastic tupperware? Forgettaboutit. Their chompers can get through that.
2. Ground squirrels can carry THE PLAGUE. If you find multiple dead rodents, you should VACATE THE AREA. Avoid exposure to fleas and do not handle dead wild animals. Photos are valuable, but do not risk your health to obtain them. For more IF&G information: (visit link).
3. Among the many animals that predate upon these rodents, two are snakes, ONE OF WHICH IS POISONOUS. The rattlesnake and the gopher snake are detailed below, geocachers are likelier to encounter the latter.
WESTERN RATTLESNAKE Crotalus oreganus, the Western or Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, isn't necessarily a common hazard for Idaho geocachers, but certainly one we should be aware of. It is a venomous pit viper species found in North America in the western United States, parts of British Columbia (Canada), and northwestern Mexico. Western rattlesnakes have large, triangular heads, narrow necks, and dark brown or black blotches on lighter backgrounds. Yes, their coloration may vary. They are active from March to November, generally hunting throughout the day in moderate temperatures but preferring the earlier and later hours during the warm summer months. They can be up to 165cm (65 inches) long. USDA Idaho Snake Safety document here: (visit link). For more IF&G information: (visit link).
GOPHERSNAKE The Gopher snake, Pituophis catenifer, is predominantly tan or light brown, with three rows of dark brown or black blotches along their heavy bodies. Also called bull snakes, they can be from 91cm to 203 cm (36 to 80 inches) long, making them Idaho's largest snake species. They pose no danger to humans or pets. They use constriction and suffocation-rather than venom-to kill their prey. However, because the patterns on their backs are similar to rattlesnakes and because they coil, vibrate their tails, and even strike when threatened, gopher snakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes. It is not uncommon to see them dead on a highway as "roadkill." My first gopher snake encounter was while geocaching in East Boise, check my April 2017 logs: (visit link). University of Idaho article: (visit link). For more IF&G information: (visit link).
This geocache is being released to herald the arrival of two geocaching friends visiting from Massachusetts, Mr. "MT Pool" and Mrs. "Boot Group." Yay for caching buddies! First-To-Find prize is a rare "two-fer" from us, two collectible coins rarer than our usual leave, an "Indian Head" cent and a "Liberty Head" dime from 1899! The dime is .900 fine silver. 1899 is the year the state of Idaho established the "Fish and Game Department." In 1903, license fees were established at $1 for resident males (women did not have to have a license), nonresidents were $5. Congrats to sissybanana for the FTF honors, well done!