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Pocket gophers, commonly referred to simply as gophers, are burrowing rodents of the family Geomyidae. [2] The roughly 41 species [ 3 ] are all endemic to North and Central America. [ 4 ] They are commonly known for their extensive tunneling activities and their ability to destroy farms and gardens.
The plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) is one of 35 species of pocket gophers, so named in reference to their externally located, fur-lined cheek pouches.They are burrowing animals, found in grasslands and agricultural land across the Great Plains of North America, from Manitoba to Texas.
Northern pocket gophers rarely appear above ground; when they do, they rarely venture more than 2.5 feet (0.76 m) from a burrow entrance. Underground, however, they often have tunnels that extend hundreds of feet where they live, store food, and give birth to their young.
The southern pocket gopher is plentiful in suitable habitat over most of its range although some populations are small and may come and go. The population trend is unknown but no specific threats have been identified and the IUCN has listed this animal's conservation status as being of "least concern". [1]
Botta's pocket gophers are found from California east to Texas, and from Utah and southern Colorado south to Mexico.Within this geographical area, they inhabit a range of habitats, including woodlands, chaparral, scrubland, and agricultural land, being limited only by rocky terrain, barren deserts, and major rivers. [2]
Pocket Gophers range in size from about 170 mm (for example, H. cherriei and H. underwoodi) to around 280 mm (such as H. heterodus and H. cavator). [9] Tails can range in length from 80 to 160 mm depending on the species.
Biologists estimate that one pocket gopher can move the equivalent of a ton of soil per year, which helped bring beneficial bacteria and fungi that survived the eruption closer to the surface ...
The pocket gophers are considered to be medium to small in size in the order Rodentia. Baird's pocket gopher has a cylinder shaped body with most of its weight carried near its head. The zygomatic arch is shorter than the width of the mouth, meaning the dorsal of the animal exceeds the jugal bone. The neck is a little thinner but the heaviest ...