# 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! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Western Pocket Gophers live in grasslands and areas with loose soil where they can dig easily. - **Also known as:** Burrowing Gopher, Pocket Gopher, Western Gopher ![Western Pocket Gophers](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Thomomys_bottae.jpg&width=800) Photo: National Park Service, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thomomys_bottae.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Geomyidae - **Genus:** Thomomys ## 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 - **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. - **Pocket Packer:** Western Pocket Gophers has amazing fur-lined cheek pouches that help them carry large amounts of food back to their underground pantries. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Hunted by these clever canids looking for a meal. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Preyed upon by these soaring birds of prey. - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Pocket Gophers? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Cabrillo Heights Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-heights-park) — California, US · Park ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Western Pocket Gophers: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-pocket-gophers)