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Gopher

A gopher, commonly known as a pocket gopher, is a fossorial rodent in the family Geomyidae, native to North and Central America and characterized by its external, fur-lined cheek pouches that it uses to transport food and nesting materials while burrowing.^[1] These solitary mammals, typically measuring 5 to 14 inches in length with small eyes and ears, sensitive whiskers, and strong clawed forepaws, spend most of their lives underground in extensive burrow systems that can span hundreds of feet.^[1] Pocket gophers inhabit a variety of environments, favoring loose, sandy soils with vegetative cover such as grasslands, deserts, forests, and agricultural fields across the Great Plains, western United States, and parts of the Southeast.^[1] Their tunneling behavior aerates soil, reduces erosion, and disperses seeds, contributing positively to ecosystem dynamics, though they are often considered agricultural pests due to damage to roots, crops, and irrigation systems, with populations potentially reaching 30 to 40 individuals per acre in unmanaged areas.^[1]^[2] Primarily herbivorous, gophers feed on roots, tubers, bulbs, and occasionally aboveground vegetation, using their ever-growing incisors and specialized cheek pouches to efficiently gather and store food without surfacing frequently.^[1] They are active year-round, breeding in spring or summer to produce litters of 2 to 12 young after a gestation period of about three weeks, though their solitary nature and short lifespan—rarely exceeding three years in the wild—limit population growth.^[1] The family Geomyidae comprises around 35 species across six genera, with the most widespread being the plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) in the central U.S. and the Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) in the West.^[1] While most species are common and not federally listed as threatened or endangered, certain species like the desert pocket gopher (Geomys arenarius) face risks from habitat loss and urbanization, highlighting the need for targeted conservation in fragmented landscapes.^[1]^[3]

Taxonomy and Classification

Etymology and Naming

The term "gopher" applied to burrowing rodents originates from the Louisiana French word gaufre, meaning "honeycomb" or "waffle," a reference to the intricate, honeycomb-like network of tunnels created by these animals. This etymology reflects the rodents' fossorial lifestyle, with the word first appearing in American English around 1812 to describe burrowing squirrels in the southern United States.^[4] Early usage likely stemmed from French settlers in Louisiana observing the patterned excavations, analogous to the indentations in a waffle or honeycomb.^[5] The scientific naming of pocket gophers evolved in the early 19th century amid European exploration and classification of North American fauna. The genus Geomys was introduced by naturalist Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1817, with Geomys pinetis (southeastern pocket gopher) as the type species, based on specimens from pine barrens near Augusta, Georgia.^[6] This marked an initial distinction from other burrowing rodents, such as ground squirrels (family Sciuridae), which share superficial similarities in habits but lack the characteristic fur-lined cheek pouches; early naturalists like Rafinesque emphasized morphological differences, including the specialized dentition and skeletal adaptations of geomyids. The family Geomyidae itself, derived from Greek geo ("earth") and mys ("mouse"), was formalized shortly thereafter to encompass these "earth mice," separating them taxonomically from sciurids.^[7] Regional variations in common names highlight ongoing terminological overlap and clarification. In the central and western United States, "pocket gopher" specifically denotes members of Geomyidae, emphasizing their external cheek pouches, while "gopher" alone often refers to these rodents. However, in parts of the Midwest and Canada, the term "gopher" is interchangeably applied to ground squirrels like Urocitellus richardsonii, leading to distinctions based on ecological and anatomical traits. Notably, the name "gopher" also applies to the unrelated gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), a burrowing reptile in the family Testudinidae, but this usage is geographically limited to the southeastern U.S. and unrelated to the rodent focus here.^[7] The pocket gophers remain classified within the broader Geomyidae family, which includes genera such as Geomys and Thomomys.^[8]

Species Diversity and Phylogeny

Pocket gophers are classified within the order Rodentia, suborder Castorimorpha, and family Geomyidae, a group of burrowing rodents endemic to the Americas.^[9] The family encompasses approximately 42 species across seven genera: Cratogeomys, Geomys, Heterogeomys, Orthogeomys, Pappogeomys, Thomomys, and Zygogeomys.^[10] These species exhibit significant taxonomic diversity, with ongoing revisions based on molecular data such as cytochrome b (Cytb) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences, which support the monophyly of most genera.^[11] Phylogenetically, Geomyidae diverged from its closest relatives, the Heteromyidae (kangaroo rats and mice), approximately 25 million years ago in the late Oligocene, as estimated by recent molecular analyses, though fossil records suggest an earlier separation around 30–34 million years ago in the early Oligocene.^[11] This separation marks the origin of the superfamily Geomyoidea, with early geomyid fossils like those of the entoptychine subgroup appearing prominently in Oligocene and Miocene strata of the Great Plains, indicating a radiation tied to the evolution of fossorial adaptations. Subsequent diversification within Geomyidae occurred during the Miocene, leading to the modern genera through vicariance and allopatric speciation, as reconstructed from multilocus phylogenetic analyses.^[12] Among the key genera, Geomys (eastern pocket gophers) and Thomomys (western pocket gophers) represent major eastern-western divisions in North America, with Geomys showing genetic splits east and west of the Mississippi River, while Thomomys is further subdivided into subgenera Megascapheus and Thomomys.^[11] Notable diversity includes endemic forms such as the Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama), whose subspecies like the Olympia pocket gopher (T. m. pugetensis) are federally listed as threatened due to habitat loss.^[13] A 2025 molecular study using ultraconserved elements has provided preliminary evidence that Heteromyidae may be paraphyletic with respect to Geomyidae, suggesting pocket gophers nest within the pocket mice clade, though further sampling is needed to confirm this.^[10]

Physical Characteristics

Anatomy and Morphology

Pocket gophers, members of the family Geomyidae, exhibit specialized external morphology adapted to their fossorial lifestyle. Their most distinctive feature consists of large, fur-lined cheek pouches that extend from the mouth to the shoulders and can be everted for cleaning; these external pouches facilitate the transport and storage of food and nesting materials without impeding burrowing activities.^[8] The eyes and ears are notably small, with enlarged lacrimal glands aiding in the removal of dirt to protect these reduced sensory organs during excavation. Additionally, the tail is short, sparsely haired, and richly supplied with nerves and muscles, serving primarily for tactile feedback and balance while navigating tunnels backward.^[8] Skeletal and muscular structures in pocket gophers are robustly modified for efficient digging. The forelimbs are short yet powerful, featuring broad feet with five digits and enlarged claws on the first three, fringed with stiff hairs to enhance soil displacement in scratch-digging behaviors characteristic of the Geomyini tribe. The skull is massively constructed, often elongated and flattened with wide zygomatic arches, a prominent sagittal crest for muscle attachment, and strong, ever-growing incisors that project forward (procumbent in many species) to enable chisel-tooth digging, particularly in harder soils as seen in the Thomomyini tribe. These incisors have a triangular cross-section with flat labial enamel, providing durability against abrasion and mechanical stress during soil penetration.^[8]^[14]^[15] Sensory systems in pocket gophers compensate for their subterranean habitat's darkness and isolation. Vision is minimized, but this is offset by highly sensitive facial vibrissae (whiskers) that detect touch and air currents, aiding precise navigation and obstacle avoidance in unlit burrows. The tail further contributes to tactile sensing, allowing gophers to monitor their surroundings during retrograde movement.^[16]^[8]

Size, Coloration, and Adaptations

Pocket gophers display considerable variation in body size among the approximately 35 species within the family Geomyidae, with total lengths ranging from 5 to 14 inches (13 to 36 cm), including the tail, and weights from 0.1 to 2.2 pounds (0.05 to 1 kg).^[17] Males are generally larger than females across species.^[17] The plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius), one of the largest North American species, attains lengths of 7.5 to 14 inches (19 to 36 cm) and weights up to 1 pound (0.45 kg).^[17] Some Central American species, such as the big pocket gopher (Heterogeomys lanius), exceed these dimensions, reaching weights over 900 grams (2 pounds).^[18] Fur coloration in pocket gophers is highly variable and serves primarily for cryptic camouflage against the surrounding soil, typically featuring shades of brown or grayish tones dorsally with paler underbellies.^[17] This pelage often matches local substrate colors to reduce visibility to predators, as observed in the plains pocket gopher, where dorsal fur ranges from brown to black. Regional adaptations include lighter, yellowish tones in arid environments; for instance, the desert pocket gopher (Geomys arenarius) exhibits pale drab-brown fur suited to sandy soils.^[19] Key physical adaptations enable pocket gophers' fossorial lifestyle, including prominent yellow incisors that are continuously growing and enriched with iron deposits, conferring increased hardness and resistance to abrasion from gritty soils.^[20] Their fur is fine, soft, and pliable, lying flat in both forward and backward directions to minimize soil adhesion during excavation and facilitate rapid retrograde movement through burrows.^[21] These traits, combined with strong, curved claws on the forefeet, enhance efficiency in tunneling.^[17]

Habitat and Distribution

Geographic Range

Pocket gophers, belonging to the family Geomyidae, are native to North and Central America, with their range extending from southern Canada in the north to Panama in the south.^[17]^[7] The highest species diversity occurs in the western United States and Mexico, where approximately 13 of the roughly 35 extant species are endemic to Mexico alone.^[22]^[8] For example, the plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) inhabits the Midwest prairies and Great Plains, ranging from southern Manitoba and Minnesota southward to Texas and northeastern Mexico, west of the Mississippi River to the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains.^[23]^[24] In contrast, the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides), a mountain-adapted species, occupies western mountain regions and central plains from southern British Columbia and central Alberta southward to central Wyoming, western Nebraska, and eastern Colorado, including areas in the Rocky Mountains.^[25]^[26] The current distribution patterns reflect historical expansions and contractions influenced by Pleistocene glaciations; during the Last Glacial Maximum (approximately 20–14.7 ka), pocket gopher populations like Geomys texensis and Thomomys bottae were abundant in regions such as central Texas, but they underwent rapid range contractions post-glaciation due to shifts toward drier conditions and soil changes.^[27] No significant introduced populations exist outside their native range.^[1]

Environmental Preferences and Adaptations

Pocket gophers exhibit a strong preference for habitats characterized by loose, friable soils that facilitate burrowing, such as well-drained loamy or sandy substrates found in grasslands, prairies, open forests, and desert edges. These environments provide the necessary structural integrity for tunnel construction while supporting abundant herbaceous vegetation. In contrast, they actively avoid rocky terrains with more than 10% rock content in the top 20 cm of soil, heavy clay or compacted soils that resist excavation, and waterlogged areas that compromise burrow stability and air circulation.^[28]^[29]^[30] Central to their adaptation is the construction of complex subterranean burrow systems, which can extend up to 200 meters in total length and encompass 200 to 2,000 square feet in area, featuring a network of main tunnels, lateral branches, and specialized chambers. Main tunnels typically run 10 to 30 cm below the surface for foraging access, while deeper chambers for nesting and food storage reach 1.8 meters or more, often lined with soft materials for insulation. Excavation produces distinctive fan- or crescent-shaped mounds of loose soil, which serve to eject debris and maintain burrow integrity by plugging surface openings against predators and flooding. Their robust forelimbs and procumbent incisors enable efficient soil displacement in these friable substrates.^[31]^[28]^[32] Seasonally, pocket gophers adjust their burrowing depth and activity to optimize thermoregulation and resource availability, remaining active year-round without hibernation. In winter, they retreat to deeper tunnels—often exceeding 1 meter—to exploit the stable, warmer subsurface temperatures that buffer against surface freezes, particularly in regions with snowfall where they may tunnel beneath snowpack. Surface activity and mound production intensify in spring as soils thaw, aligning with peak reproductive periods from April to June, when shallower foraging tunnels expand to support increased energy demands.^[33]^[29]^[34]

Behavior and Ecology

Diet and Foraging Strategies

Pocket gophers are strictly herbivorous, with a diet consisting primarily of underground plant parts such as roots, tubers, and bulbs. Preferred foods include the roots of alfalfa, dandelions, grasses, forbs, and shrubs, though they occasionally consume aboveground vegetation like leaves, tender stems, and seeds when available during the growing season.^[35]^[36]^[37] Foraging occurs almost entirely underground within extensive burrow systems, where gophers encounter and consume roots directly while excavating tunnels. They also pull surface vegetation into their burrows from below or make brief forays above ground, limited to a body length from tunnel openings, to clip plants. Food is transported using external, fur-lined cheek pouches, allowing efficient carrying back to the burrow without surfacing frequently; gophers consume a substantial amount of plant matter daily.^[35]^[36]^[1]^[38] Nutritional adaptations include ever-growing incisors suited for gnawing tough roots and a hindgut fermentation system, with an enlarged cecum and large intestine that facilitate microbial breakdown of fibrous plant cell walls. Gophers cache excess food in deeper burrow chambers, storing roots and tubers to sustain them through periods of scarcity, such as winter.^[1]^[39]^[36]^[37]

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Pocket gophers typically breed in late winter or spring, from February to May, with females producing one to three litters annually depending on species and latitude; northern populations often have a single litter, while southern ones may have multiple.^[40]^[41] Gestation periods range from 18 to 50 days across species, with most lasting 18 to 20 days.^[42]^[23] Litter sizes vary from 2 to 12 young, averaging 3 to 6 pups per birth; the young are altricial at birth, born blind and hairless, and remain dependent on the mother.^[43]^[44] Pups are weaned at 4 to 6 weeks and achieve independence around 5 to 8 weeks, reaching sexual maturity in 6 to 12 months.^[45]^[46] In the wild, pocket gophers have a life expectancy of 1 to 3 years, though individuals in captivity can live up to 5 years; high juvenile mortality results primarily from predation and flooding events.^[26]^[47]^[48] Females provide sole parental care in their solitary burrows, with males absent after mating.^[8] Pocket gophers exhibit a predominantly solitary lifestyle, with individuals maintaining exclusive territories centered around their burrow systems and rarely interacting except during brief breeding periods.^[23] Territorial aggression is common, particularly among males, who engage in intense fights when encountering intruders outside of mating contexts, ensuring minimal overlap in home ranges; in some species, such as the Michoacán pocket gopher (Zygogeomys trichopus), these fights can be lethal.^[49] Females also defend their territories vigorously, expelling offspring once they reach independence to avoid competition for resources.^[50] Communication among pocket gophers primarily occurs through chemical signals, with individuals using scent glands to mark burrow entrances and tunnels, thereby signaling territory ownership and deterring rivals.^[23] Vocalizations are limited but include soft chattering or clicking sounds produced by grinding teeth, often in response to disturbances, as well as low-pitched grunts or squeaks during encounters with potential threats.^[51] Pocket gophers face predation from a variety of aboveground and subterranean hunters, including great horned owls and hawks that target individuals venturing to the surface, as well as coyotes, badgers, and foxes that dig into burrows or ambush at entrances.^[52] Snakes such as gopher snakes, rattlesnakes, and bullsnakes pose significant threats by invading tunnels to prey on gophers and their young.^[32] To counter these risks, gophers employ anti-predator strategies like rapidly plugging burrow entrances with soil to block intruders and evade detection, a tactic that leverages their extensive underground networks for concealment.^[52] Certain species, such as the Townsend's pocket gopher, exhibit primarily nocturnal surface activity to minimize encounters with diurnal predators, complementing their reliance on deep burrows for refuge during vulnerable periods.^[53]

Human Interactions

Pest Status and Control Methods

Pocket gophers (Thomomys spp.) are regarded as significant agricultural pests across much of their range in the United States, primarily due to their burrowing and feeding behaviors that damage crops and infrastructure.^[54] They consume roots and tubers of crops such as alfalfa, carrots, and potatoes, leading to direct plant mortality or reduced vigor, while their tunnels can smother vegetation under earthen mounds and divert irrigation water.^[31] Additionally, gophers frequently gnaw on irrigation pipes and plastic lines, causing leaks and system failures that exacerbate water loss in arid farming regions.^[36] In California, a major agricultural state, gophers contribute approximately 5.7% to the total vertebrate pest damage estimated at $168–$504 million annually as of 2009, with particularly high impacts on alfalfa (8.8% profit loss).^[55] Studies indicate their activities result in forage yield reductions of 20–50% in affected rangelands and pastures, such as in Nebraska and California, underscoring their economic toll on livestock production and crop yields.^[35] Control strategies for pocket gophers emphasize integrated pest management, balancing efficacy, cost, and environmental safety, with methods varying by scale and regulatory constraints. Lethal approaches include trapping using box-style devices like the cinch trap or Gophinator, which are highly effective for small areas when probes locate active tunnels for precise placement.^[35] Poison baits, such as zinc phosphide or restricted anticoagulants like chlorophacinone and diphacinone, are applied via hand-baiting into burrows, though strychnine use is limited due to secondary poisoning risks to non-target wildlife.^[56] Fumigation with aluminum phosphide gas is another targeted lethal option, effective in moist soils where it penetrates burrow systems, often achieving 70–90% control in treated areas.^[57] Non-lethal methods focus on prevention and deterrence to minimize gopher populations without direct harm. Physical barriers, such as underground wire mesh fencing or gravel-filled trenches (at least 2 feet deep), prevent burrow expansion into protected zones like orchards or gardens.^[31] Habitat modification involves reducing weed cover and tilling soil to disrupt burrows, while repellents like castor oil-based products or plants such as gopher purge (Euphorbia lathyris) are sometimes used, though their efficacy remains unsubstantiated by research.^[31] Biological controls promote natural predators, including installing barn owl nest boxes to encourage predation, which can supplement other methods in larger landscapes but provides limited standalone control.^[35]

Role in Ecosystems and Conservation

Pocket gophers function as ecosystem engineers by extensively modifying soil through burrowing activities, which aerate the substrate and enhance water infiltration. Their excavations reduce soil bulk density by 10–40% in surface mounds and create backfilled burrows with soil 15% less compact than undisturbed areas, promoting better moisture retention and nutrient cycling that benefits plant growth and decomposition rates.^[58] These burrows also provide refuge and nesting sites for invertebrates, small mammals, and other vertebrates, fostering a heterogeneous habitat mosaic that supports overall ecosystem functionality.^[59] In terms of biodiversity support, pocket gophers serve as a primary food source for numerous predators, including coyotes, weasels, snakes, and birds of prey, thereby maintaining trophic balance in grassland and prairie systems. Their foraging and caching behaviors contribute to seed dispersal, as uneaten seeds from food stores and exposed soil on mounds facilitate germination and plant propagation, particularly in disturbed areas. In prairie ecosystems, gophers play a key role in restoration efforts by turning over soil and depositing organic matter through feces, which prepares sites for native seed establishment and enhances habitat resilience against invasive species.^[60]^[61]^[62] Several pocket gopher species and subspecies face conservation challenges, with four subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama)—including the Olympia, Roy Prairie, Tenino, and Yelm—listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 2014 due to ongoing population declines. Primary threats include habitat loss and fragmentation from urban development, agriculture, and altered fire regimes, which have reduced suitable prairie habitats by over 90% in some regions. Pesticide use, including rodenticides like strychnine and zinc phosphide, poses additional risks through direct poisoning and secondary effects on predators, contributing to historical and current declines. The southeastern pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis) is also designated as a species of greatest conservation need in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, highlighting the need for habitat protection to sustain these keystone species.^[63]^[64]^[65]

Cultural Significance

In Folklore and Symbolism

In various Native American traditions, particularly among western and Plains tribes, gophers hold significant roles in folklore as earth-shapers and trickster figures. Among the Blackfoot of the Great Plains, the culture hero Napi (Old Man) features in tales where he outwits gophers to secure food, portraying them as resourceful but ultimately playful adversaries whose burrowing habits symbolize the industriousness required for survival on the prairie.^[66] Similarly, in Zuni Pueblo stories from the Southwest, a clever gopher defeats a haughty tribe in a footrace through cunning tunnel-building, embodying wit and the triumph of the underestimated over the arrogant.^[67] These narratives highlight gophers as agents of creation and balance, often tied to their role as "earth-movers" that till the soil and reveal hidden resources. Gophers also carry deeper symbolic meanings across tribes, frequently linked to the underworld due to their subterranean lifestyles. Many western groups, including the Shoshone, Paiute, and Karuk, view gophers as messengers from the earth’s depths, omens of illness, death, or transformation, with taboos against killing or eating them to avoid misfortune.^[67] In Klamath and Modoc mythology, the gopher appears as the creator's younger brother and the first animal formed, advising on healing and underscoring themes of persistence and hidden knowledge accessed through burrowing—metaphors for uncovering truths buried in the land or psyche. In modern environmental literature, gophers symbolize adaptability and ecological diligence, reflecting their real-world role as keystone species that aerate soil and foster biodiversity. Contemporary works, such as those re-storying prairie ecosystems, portray gophers as emblems of interconnected survival, where their tunneling represents the unseen labor sustaining fragile habitats against environmental threats.^[68]

Representations in Media and Sports

In the 1980 comedy film Caddyshack, directed by Harold Ramis, a mischievous animatronic gopher serves as a central antagonist, repeatedly thwarting the efforts of groundskeeper Carl Spackler (played by Bill Murray) to eradicate it from the Bushwood Country Club's golf course.^[69] The gopher's antics, including dancing to music and causing widespread destruction, highlight its portrayal as an indomitable pest, a theme that resonates with the film's satirical take on suburban frustrations.^[70] This character, added in post-production at a cost of approximately $500,000, became an iconic symbol of defiance in popular culture. Gophers also appear in children's literature, often depicted as clever burrowers engaging in playful or adventurous escapades. In L. Frank Baum's classic fable The Discontented Gopher (originally published in 1905), the protagonist gopher embarks on a journey of self-discovery, emphasizing themes of curiosity and mischief while exploring underground worlds.^[71] Similarly, modern educational titles like Gopher to the Rescue! A Volcano Recovery Story by Terry Catlow (2015) portray gophers as resilient heroes aiding ecosystem recovery after natural disasters, using simple narratives and illustrations to teach young readers about animal behaviors.^[72] In sports, gophers symbolize tenacity and regional pride, most notably as the mascot for the University of Minnesota's athletic teams, known as the Golden Gophers since the 1930s. The nickname derives from Minnesota's "Gopher State" moniker, coined in 1857 via a political cartoon by R.O. Sweeny that satirized state legislators as gophers gnawing at public funds for railroad bonds.^[73] The university's yearbook adopted "Gopher" in 1888, and by the 1920s, it extended to sports teams; the "Golden" prefix was popularized in 1932 by radio announcer Halsey Hall to describe the football squad's gold uniforms.^[74] The costumed mascot, Goldy Gopher, first appeared in 1940 and has since become a fixture at games, representing the state's hardworking ethos.^[75] Gophers feature prominently in cartoons and video games as anthropomorphic burrowers, often embodying humor and resourcefulness. In Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes series, the Goofy Gophers—twin characters Mac and Tosh—debuted in the 1946 short The Goofy Gophers, directed by Arthur Davis, where they outwit Sylvester the Cat in carrot-heisting schemes, appearing in seven shorts through 1957.^[76] In video games, Gopher from Disney's Winnie the Pooh franchise appears as a helpful inventor in titles like Piglet's Big Game (2003), where he aids in puzzle-solving within the Hundred Acre Wood, and Disney's Winnie the Pooh: Kindergarten (2000), emphasizing his burrowing expertise.^[77] More recently, in Party Animals (2023), a gopher character is unlockable, participating in physics-based multiplayer chaos as a nod to Groundhog Day traditions.^[78] Gophers are frequently represented in advertising, particularly for pest control services, where they are cartooned as sneaky villains undermining lawns and gardens. Companies like Gopher Patrol have produced TV commercials since the 1990s featuring animated gophers as elusive targets for extermination products, reinforcing their reputation as persistent nuisances while promoting traps and baits.^[79] These depictions, common in regional ads across the western U.S., blend humor with urgency to market solutions for gopher infestations.^[80]

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[34]
Controlling Pocket Gophers | Oklahoma State University
... adapted for digging. They have broad heads with small eyes and ears; exposed yellowish, chisel-like, incisor teeth; a short, sparsley-haired tail; and front ...
[35]
[PDF] Pocket Gophers - Nevada Department of Agriculture
vibrissae (whiskers) on their face are very sensitive to touch and assist pocket gophers while traveling about in their dark tunnels. The tail is sparsely ...
[36]
Guide to Pocket Gopher Control in Montana
The pocket gopher's tail is sparsely haired and serves as a sensory mechanism that guides it while moving backwards through its tunnel system.General Characteristics · Damage Prevention And... · Toxicants
[37]
Plains Pocket Gopher | Wildlife Illinois
Plains pocket gophers are larger than eastern moles. They have stocky bodies, small eyes and ears, and sparsely furred tails.Geomys Bursarius · Description & Identification · Habitat & FoodMissing: Linnaeus | Show results with:Linnaeus<|control11|><|separator|>
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Responses of Pocket Gophers (Thomomys Bottae) to Changes in ...
A further response of pocket gophers to decreased food quality was an increase in size of cecum and large intestine, suggesting that fermentation of cell walls ...Missing: adaptations bacteria
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Thomomys bulbivorus (Camas pocket gopher) - Animal Diversity Web
Camas pocket gophers are specialized in burrowing activity. While digging, they almost turn completely upside down to use their teeth to break up the large ...
[40]
Pocket Gopher Biology
The activity of burrowing typically increases in spring when the surface soil thaws and soil temperatures increase. Activity increases in the fall as soil ...
[41]
Gopher - 24hrs. 7 Days a Wk. Complete Pest Control Service
The vibrissae (whiskers) on their face are very sensitive to touch and assist pocket gophers while traveling about in their dark tunnels. The tail is ...
[42]
Pocket Gophers | Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Pocket gophers breed just once a year, in late winter or spring, producing two to five pink, blind, hairless young after a gestation period of perhaps three to ...About This Species · More Information · ReproductionMissing: litter parental expectancy<|control11|><|separator|>
[43]
Thomomys bottae (Botta's pocket gopher) - Animal Diversity Web
Reproduction ; Average number of offspring: 5.5 ; Average gestation period: 19 days ; Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female) Sex: female: 319 days
[44]
Geomys texensis (Central Texas pocket gopher) | INFORMATION
Both sexes of pocket gophers have a pelage that is a mixture of light and dark brown hairs on the dorsum and face while their venter and feet are a creamy white ...
[45]
Gopher Identification - Corky's Pest Control
Gophers reach sexual maturity about 1 year of age and can live up to 3 years. In non-irrigated areas, breeding usually occurs in late winter and early spring, ...Missing: parental | Show results with:parental
[46]
Home Range and Survival of the Ozark Pocket Gopher (Geomys ...
We documented two sources of mortality for pocket gophers: prйdation and flooding. Introduction. Plains pocket gophers (Geomys bursanus) are found throughout ...
[47]
[PDF] Non-chemical Control of Richardson's and Columbian Ground ...
Luckily the juvenile mortality rate is about 85%. Most of this mortality occurs in late summer when the mother drives her offspring out of her burrow. They ...
[48]
Zygogeomys trichopus (Michoacan pocket gopher) | INFORMATION
Geographic Range Michoacan pocket gophers ( Zygogeomys trichopus ) are endemic to Mexico and are found in only four areas of the Sierra Madre of Michoacan; ...Physical Description · Reproduction · Predation<|control11|><|separator|>
[49]
Gopher it: Uncovering the unique ecology of the plains pocket gopher
Oct 15, 2025 · They tend to be territorial where they don't really share burrows with one another, and mom will kick the kids out eventually. But recently ...
[50]
[PDF] Thomomys bottae. By Cheri A. Jones and Colleen N. Baxter
Jul 13, 2004 · Vocalizations are limited to clicking of teeth and to soft sounds ... Contact zones and the genetics of differentiation in the pocket gopher ...
[51]
Geomyidae - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Geomyidae is a family of subterranean rodents known as pocket gophers, characterized by their ecological diversity and host specificity for nematode parasites.
[52]
Living with wildlife: Pocket gophers | Washington Department of Fish ...
Their pliable fur and sparsely haired tails—which also serve as a sensory mechanism—help gophers run backward almost as fast as they can run forward. Their ...Missing: direction reversible
[53]
Townsend's Pocket Gopher
Activity Patterns: Active year-round. Mainly nocturnal above ground, but active throughout the day in burrow. Seasonal Movements / Migration: None reported ...
[54]
Pocket Gophers | USU
Pocket gophers are 7-10-inch (18-27 cm) fossorial (burrowing) rodents with external fur-lined pouches located on the outside of their mouths.Pocket Gophers · Control · Hand BaitingMissing: Linnaeus | Show results with:Linnaeus
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[PDF] FINAL REPORT - UC ANR
Wild pigs (6.8% loss), ground squirrels (5.9%), gophers (5.7%), and voles (5.3%) all caused equivalent levels of damage to agricultural commodities. However, ...
[56]
[PDF] POCKET GOPHER CONTROL TECHNIQUES
Reach in with your hand and ensure that loose soil is not blocking the main tunnel or the lateral tunnel. Follow the manufacturer's directions for setting the ...Missing: reversible | Show results with:reversible
[57]
Pocket Gopher Control Strategies for Farms and Lawns | Extension
Burrow fumigation with aluminum phosphide is considered to be one of the most consistently effective gopher-control methods when soil moisture is adequate.
[58]
The role of pocket gophers as subterranean ecosystem engineers
Pocket gophers (Geomyidae) and their ecological cognates worldwide have profound impacts on ecosystems, from consuming vegetation to altering the soil ...Missing: anatomy morphology
[59]
[PDF] using an ecosystem engineer to restore functionality of natural
They dig burrows that aerate soils, facilitate nutrient turnover, provide shelter or food for invertebrates and vertebrates, and help maintain a diverse ...<|separator|>
[60]
Non-Chemical Pocket Gopher Control - Animal and Range Sciences
In flower gardens or other areas where landscape disturbance is not desirable, some success has been achieved by flooding pocket gophers out with a garden hose.
[61]
[PDF] The Effects of the Plains Pocket Gopher on Plant Diversity
The mounds they create at the surface are also highly susceptible to seed dispersal via wind or animals ... Our findings support our hypothesis and are similar to ...Missing: predators | Show results with:predators
[62]
Gophers: Gardeners of the Grassland – Cowling Arboretum
May 3, 2017 · By “destructively” clearing sections of prairie either through foraging or mound-building, pocket gophers actually prepare the landscape for a ...
[63]
Mazama Pocket Gopher Recovery | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Aug 1, 2022 · In April 2014, these four subspecies were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The recovery process for these four subspecies ...
[64]
[PDF] Recovery Plan for Four Subspecies of Mazama Pocket Gopher - ECOS
Aug 25, 2022 · Recovery plans delineate reasonable actions that are believed necessary for the conservation and survival of listed species.
[65]
Southeastern pocket gopher - The Wildlife Society - Florida Chapter
Dec 9, 2016 · The adults range in size from ~200 to 300 mm in length and ~100-300 g in weight. They are named after their external, fur-lined cheek ...
[66]
When Napi Roasted Gophers - Jack Gladstone
Napi is the Blackfeet inflection of the trickster archetype. Extremely human, Napi stories unfold as morality plays on greed, lust, envy, deceit, gluttony and ...
[67]
Native American Gopher Mythology
Gophers are considered to be messengers of the underworld by many western tribes, and are sometimes seen as a symbol of death.
[68]
[PDF] NATURE SYMBOLISM IN THE FICTION OF JOHN STEINBECK ...
467)'. The allegory of the gopher depicts the struggle of the individual to survive in civilization.^ Walcutt believes that the story of the gopher is the story ...
[69]
Gopher Tales: Re/Storying for Re/Worlding - Lenters - 2024
May 31, 2024 · Recently, gophers have been named a keystone species of the prairie. Their burrowing is recognized to aerate the soil and create shelters for ...<|separator|>
[70]
Caddyshack (1980) - IMDb
Rating 7.2/10 (132,737) An exclusive golf course has to deal with a flatulent new member and a destructive dancing gopher.Full cast & crew · Caddyshack II · Trivia · User reviewsMissing: source | Show results with:source
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Caddyshack | Movies - WarnerBros.com
While caddying at a snooty country club, ambitious young Danny (Michael O'Keefe) goes for a college scholarship. But first he has to impress elitist Judge ...
[72]
The Discontented Gopher - South Dakota Historical Society Press
90-day returnsL. Frank Baum's Discontented Gopher is a true American fairy tale. Danger lurks around every corner, and wisdom is hard-earned in this classic fable.
[73]
Gopher to the Rescue! A Volcano Recovery Story - Epic
"The forest animals are surprised when a volcano suddenly explodes, covering the land in gritty, warm ash and rocks that make it unlivable for many plants
[74]
Why Is Minnesota The Gopher State? - CBS News
Aug 22, 2018 · "It's because of a cartoon," says Lori Williamson of the Minnesota Historical Society. The political cartoon dates back to 1858, the year ...
[75]
History & Traditions - University of Minnesota Athletics
Jul 12, 2021 · Legendary KSTP-AM radio announcer Halsey Hall coined the term "Golden Gophers" in reference to the team's all-gold attire on the field. From ...
[76]
The Legend of Goldy - University of Minnesota Alumni Association
Although the exact date appears lost to time, that first physical image of Goldy was created by George Grooms, a designer working for a sports merchandising ...
[77]
The Goofy Gophers (Short 1947) - IMDb
Rating 7.1/10 (433) Soundtracks. Rock-a-Bye Baby (uncredited) Music by Effie I. Canning Played when the moon turns into four crescents. FAQ1 · Which series is this from: Looney ...
[78]
Gopher - Piglet's BIG Game (Video Game) - Behind The Voice Actors
Michael J. Gough is the voice of Gopher in Piglet's BIG Game. Video Game: Piglet's BIG Game Franchise: Winnie the Pooh
[79]
Gopher | Party Animals Wiki - Fandom
Gopher is an unlockable character in Party Animals. He was introduced for Groundhog Day and is unlockable for 900 Gopher is a marmot with yellow fur.
[80]
Gopher Patrol Local Commercial - Termite - ARTBYRYAN
I was asked to create a series of commercials to air on television for Gopher Patrol, a pest control company in Los Angeles. The concept I came up with was ...
[81]
Commercial Gopher Control in Phoenix AZ | Blue Sky Pest
Get commercial gopher control in Phoenix AZ here at Blue Sky Pest Control. We're experts and will give you a free quote.Missing: advertisements | Show results with:advertisements