Capsicumladen soils decrease contact time by northern pocket gophers

northern pocket gophers. PHYSIOL BEHAV 67(3) 455458, 1999.-Fossorial rodents damage lawnsiwater impoundmentsi crops. We conducted a two-choice, parametric-type study to determine the effects of capsicum-oleoresinisoil mixtures (0.00, 0.75, 1.50, and 2.25%) upon soil-contact, soil-digging, and pelage-grooming behaviors in northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides). In 3 alternate-day (1-hlday) exposures to 31.50 % capsicum-oleoresin soil mixtures, gophers decreased mean soil contact time by 46 % relative to placebo-exposed animals. Grooming time yielded a concentration X trial interaction tha