He doesn't expect to catch any one on the surface,
unless he happens to surprise a Meadow Mouse within jumping distance.
He goes hunting for the holes of Ground Squirrels and other burrowers,
and when he finds one promptly digs. He eats Grasshoppers, Beetles
and small Snakes, as well as such small animals as he catches. It
was well for you, Peter, that you jumped when you did, for I suspect
that Digger would have enjoyed a Rabbit dinner.
"Very little is known of Digger's family life, but he is a good
husband. In winter he sleeps as Johnny Chuck does, coming out soon
after the snow disappears in the spring. Of all my little people,
none has greater courage. When he is cornered he will fight as
long as there is a breath of life in him. His skin is very tough
and he is further protected by his long hair. His teeth are sharp
and strong and he can always give a good account of himself in a
fight. He is afraid of no one of his own size.
"Man hunts him for his fur, but man is very stupid in many things and
this is an example. You see, Digger is worth a great deal more alive
than dead, because of the great number of destructive Rodents he
kills. The only thing that can be brought against him is the number
of holes he digs. Mr. and Mrs. Digger have two to five babies late
in the spring or early in the summer. They are born under ground in
a nest of grass.
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