Western Pocket Gophers
ExploreMammals
Western Pocket Gophers
thomomyini
Western Pocket Gophers are small, furry animals that dig tunnels underground. They use their cheek pouches to carry food, making them very unique and fun to learn about!
Habitat: Western Pocket Gophers live in grasslands and areas with loose soil where they can dig easily.
Appearance
The Western Pocket Gophers have stocky bodies with short limbs and a short, sparsely furred tail. They possess small eyes and ears, but their most distinguishing feature is the large, prominent incisors and external, fur-lined cheek pouches they use for carrying food.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyGeomyidaeGenusThomomys
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Their front teeth are always growing and are super strong, used like shovels!
These amazing diggers can move over 200 pounds of dirt in a single month!
They can actually seal their lips behind their teeth to avoid eating dirt while digging!
They plug tunnel entrances with soil to keep out predators and bad weather.
Special abilities
Ability
Tunnel Master
Western Pocket Gophers can create extensive tunnel systems because their strong claws and powerful front legs help them dig super fast through soil.
Ability
Pocket Packer
Western Pocket Gophers has amazing fur-lined cheek pouches that help them carry large amounts of food back to their underground pantries.
Ability
Earth Eater
Western Pocket Gophers can quickly cut through roots and tough vegetation because of their powerful, ever-growing front teeth that even work when their mouth is closed.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 15-25 cm
- Weight
- 0.08-0.25 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-3 years
- Top Speed
- 10 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-10
- Gestation
- 18-19 days
Diet & Feeding
They are vegetarians that mostly munch on roots, tubers, and other plants they find underground.
Primary Foods
- Roots
- Tubers
- Bulbs
- Grasses
- Forbs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Coyote
Canis latrans
Hunted by these clever canids looking for a meal.
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Preyed upon by these soaring birds of prey.
eaten by
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Sometimes caught by snakes that enter their tunnels.
eats
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
Feeds on the roots of many common grasses.
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.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Burrowing GopherPocket GopherWestern Gopher
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Western Pocket Gophers?
15-25 cm
How much does Western Pocket Gophers weigh?
0.08-0.25 kg
How long does Western Pocket Gophers live?
1-3 years
How fast can Western Pocket Gophers move?
10 km/h
What does Western Pocket Gophers eat?
They are vegetarians that mostly munch on roots, tubers, and other plants they find underground.
Where is Western Pocket Gophers usually found?
Western Pocket Gophers live in grasslands and areas with loose soil where they can dig easily.
How does Western Pocket Gophers hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Western Pocket Gophers usually have?
1-10
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
