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~.• ' usually associated with rocky outcroppings (Lechleitner, ~~ 1969). While the Tcaenty-mile Sandstone outcroppings provide ideal habitat for golden-r..sntled'ground squirrels, the study site itself lacks such outcroppings and is thus poor habitat for this species. Yellow-bellied marmots are commor. in the Williams Fork Mountains (Hector, 1976). No marmots were observed on the study site during the faunal survey, probably due to hibernation (obligate) and not because of their absence from the study site. A partial skull of a marmot was _ Found on the studv site. No estimate of densities were ~_ obtained. Pocket gophers are abundant on the study site. ,z~ Evidence of their ac*_ivity, i.e., burrocas and mounds, • were fcund throughout the property. Hourever, greatest densities of pocket gophers are correlated with deep soils (Route series) characteristic to the north-facing slopes of the site. Beavers are abundant throughout the Pilliams For:{ Mountains, bet are restricted to riparian habitats with streams is broad, gentle gradient valleys with abundant ~ phreatophytic vegetaticn. Seaver ~rere nearly extirpates ~ ~• from the area during ttie late nineteenth century, but ' their populations have recovered due to protection by state game laws. •:~' The distribution o? beaver in the vicinity of the study site is limited to the 1ocrer portions cf Hayden and Doccden Gulches. The closest active beaver colony is two miles south of the study site in Ha}•den Gulch. The beaver colony in Dowden Gulch is near its confluence with the Williams Forl- River, several miles from the stud] site. `~ Two cricetid rodents, the deer mouse and bushy-tailed woodrat, are found in the vicinity of the study site. Deer mice were caught in all the major plant communities (see • ~. Table 2.9); highest nu.•nbers were in the snowberrr- chokeckierry plant community. Deer mice are one of the most widespread mammalizn,_species in North Arnerica. They are common in the Williams Forte Mountains (Armstrong, 1972 and Lechleitner, 1969). Noybushy-tailed woodrats were trapped during the small mansnal survey. Their preference for _ vertical crevices in rocky outcroppings in which they `= construct nests probably precludes them °rom being common on the study site. There is excellent woodrat habitat _ alone the rocky escarYm_nts west and south-of the site. ~~ -67-