It can’t be an easy life for these guys. Humans view them as pests and they are a constant target for other wildlife including coyotes, badgers and raptors. This particular one was in a burrow right by my truck and once I pointed the camera at it, it laid low, apparently trying to be inconspicuous.
While I am oftentimes dismissive of these creatures, I do recognize the significant role they play in the ecosystem. They are a keystone species, so important to many other creatures.
