Plains Pocket Gopher
ExploreMammals
Plains Pocket Gopher
Geomys bursarius
The Plains Pocket Gopher is a small, burrowing animal that loves to dig in the ground. It has big cheek pouches to store food and is known for making tunnels underground!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Plains Pocket Gopher has short, brownish-gray to reddish-brown fur, small eyes, and a short, nearly hairless tail. Its most distinctive features are the large, fur-lined cheek pouches on each side of its head, used for carrying food.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyGeomyidaeGenusGeomys
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Plains Pocket Gophers can dig over 100 feet of tunnels in just one day!
Their entire underground home can stretch longer than a football field!
These tiny engineers push excavated dirt behind them using their powerful hind legs!
They can close their lips behind their teeth to chew roots without getting dirt in their mouths!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Digger
Plains Pocket Gopher can dig incredibly fast using its powerful claws and strong front teeth that helps them create extensive burrow systems.
Ability
Food Carrier
Plains Pocket Gopher has large, fur-lined cheek pouches that helps them carry lots of food back to their underground pantries.
Ability
Tunnel Sealer
Plains Pocket Gopher can seal its burrow entrances quickly with soil that helps them hide from predators and regulate tunnel temperature.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 15-22 cm
- Weight
- 0.2-0.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
- Top Speed
- 10 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-8
- Gestation
- 18-19 days
Diet & Feeding
They mostly eat plant roots, tubers, and grasses from their underground tunnels.
Primary Foods
- Roots
- Tubers
- Grasses
- Alfalfa
- Dandelions
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
hunts
American Badger
Taxidea taxus
A key predator that digs into gopher tunnels.
eats
Coyote
Canis latrans
Preys on gophers when they venture above ground.
eats
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Hunts gophers, especially at dawn or dusk.
eats
Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis
A common plant whose roots and stems are eaten.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
If you see a gopher hole, don't stick your hands in! They are shy and like to stay underground.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Plains Pocket Gopher?
15-22 cm
How much does Plains Pocket Gopher weigh?
0.2-0.5 kg
How long does Plains Pocket Gopher live?
2-5 years
How fast can Plains Pocket Gopher move?
10 km/h
What does Plains Pocket Gopher eat?
They mostly eat plant roots, tubers, and grasses from their underground tunnels.
Where is Plains Pocket Gopher usually found?
Grasslands
How does Plains Pocket Gopher hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Plains Pocket Gopher usually have?
1-8
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