Physically the gopher exhibits a striking adaptation to its way of life. The fur is thick and warm. It keeps soil particles from working into the skin at the same time it protects the wearer from the chill of his underground workings. The heavy, curved front claws are admirable digging tools. In especially hard soil, the large strong incisors are also pressed into service for this purpose. To remove the dirt from the tunnel, the gopher becomes an animal bulldozer. The front legs are employed as a blade pushing the soil, while the powerful hind legs push the body and load towards the nearest tunnel opening. The pockets from which this creature gets its common name are never used for hauling earth. They are hair-lined pouches located in each cheek and utilized for carrying food to the storerooms. There they are emptied by placing the forefeet behind them and pushing forward. Last, by virtue of its location, but certainly not least in usefulness, is the short, almost hairless tail. It is used as a tactile organ to feel out the way when the gopher runs backwards through the tunnels. In some respects, it is of more use than the eyes although the gopher uses these too, as can be attested by the quickness with which it detects any movement near the mouth of its tunnel. The gopher’s place in Nature seems to be akin to that of the earthworm. By turning over the soil, the gopher enables it to more readily absorb water and air. At the same time, fertility is increased by the addition of buried plants and animal matter. This is indeed a fair exchange for the plants it destroys in its quest for food. CARNIVORES _Including the Insectivores and Chiropterans_ This group is distinguished from other animals by having canine teeth in both jaws. The function of these teeth is to catch and hold other animals, for carnivores are the predators. This is the most highly developed branch of the animal world and reaches a peak of specialization in man who, while lacking some of the physical qualifications of the other predators, has developed a brain which has enabled him to gain and keep ascendancy over all other animals. Considered with the group in this book are two other orders, the Insectivora and the Chiroptera. These orders embrace the mammals in North America that live principally on worms or insects rather than on other mammals. They are the shrews and bats, respectively.