Pocket Gophers: Geomyidae - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Pocket Gophers And People, Valley Pocket Gopher (thomomys Bottae): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS
america found extremely endangered
Pocket gophers are found in North America and extend into Central America. They are found from southern Canada through western North America, southward to northwestern Colombia in South America. One species occurs in the southeastern United States, in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
Pocket gophers live in almost any area that has soil that they can dig. They are found in meadows, forests, deserts, rainforests, and fields, from dry, extremely hot, climates at sea level to extremely cold climates in mountainous areas. They do not travel far, and occur in isolated areas. They spend most of their lives underground, though they surface at times to gather food. In certain parts of the country, the older animals may move to moister areas during dry periods.
Pocket gophers are herbivores, plant eaters. These animals feed primarily on the underground parts of plants, especially the roots, bulbs, and tubers. They also cut stems and carry them in their cheek pouches to their storage chambers.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists fifteen species of pocket gophers as threatened. The Oaxacan (wah-HAH-kan) pocket gopher and Querétaro pocket gopher are listed as Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The Michoacan pocket gopher is considered Endangered, facing a high risk of extinction.
Additional Topics
Pocket gophers have stout, heavy set bodies that have a tube-like shape. The length of their bodies varies depending upon the species from 5 to 14 inches (13 to 36 centimeters). Males are generally larger than females. Their legs are relatively short and powerful. The five claws on their thick front legs are long, sharp, and curved. The third claw is the longest. Their hands are broad. The pocket …
Pocket gophers are rarely seen because they spend almost their entire lives underground. Also, these animals are generally crepuscular (kri-PUS-kyuh-lur), active at dawn and dusk, and some are nocturnal, active at night. Pocket gophers do not hibernate, go into a resting state to conserve energy, and in general, are active year round. These animals forage, look for food, through the ground, burrow…
Pocket gophers play an important role in the ecosystem in which they live. They loosen and enrich the soil when they burrow. The occupied or abandoned burrows of these rodents are used extensively by other animals for shelter or foraging. Some people consider these animals to be pests. In some areas, a single pocket gopher can destroy a family garden in less than a month. Their burrows can harm ag…
Physical characteristics: The valley pocket gopher is also commonly know as Botta's pocket gopher, smooth-toothed pocket gopher, and western pocket gopher. Valley pocket gophers have a combined head and body length of 6 to 13 inches (15 to 33 centimeters). Claws on their front feet are relatively small. Fur color varies among individuals, ranging from pale gray to reddish brown to black. Th…
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User Comments
almost 2 years ago
Hello Suzanne,
I can completely identify with your problem.
The first year I planted my country garden here in Petaluma, Ca., I was devastated when I came out one early morning to find my prized Italian eggplant laying dead-flat on the ground! It was like losing a child!
The following year I hand-made over 2oo wire gopher cages and did not lose one plant to gophers. Only one tomato plant was affected in the fact that a low growing branch was close enough to the ground around the basket, that the gopher dug up through the ground and found a tasty morsel staring him right in his face. He broke off the branch, but I got him the next day by setting a cinch trap.
I am now well into the process of patenting my specialized baskets, and hopefully will be in the msrket by next year, if not this fall.
There are several types of baskets out there, but mine will be of 19 gauge, galvanized hardware cloth, 1/2:square grid, much stronger and longer lasting than 'chicken or bird' wire. they will easily last ten years in the ground and be reusable each year.
Also accompanying my basket, will be an optional bamboo 'topper' that fits around the plants' base and rests on to the rim of the basket- effectively preventing them from accessing the plant from above ground- gophers have been known to do this).
Forget poisons, especially if you or neighbors have pets.
Gophers will do what gophers do- we must live with that fact- but we do not have to give them a free lunch!
All the best,
Al
Butler Enterprises
apbutler1@comcast.net
almost 2 years ago
To whom it may concern,
Over many years have planted many
different plants and ground covers in my
back yard in Saratoga, CA at considerable
time and expense only to have a gopher
eat all the roots and even the whole plant.
Have lost all the plants and a tree to a gopher. We cannot keep any plants in the
area - it is just dirt. We have put gopher
control devices and they DO NOT work.
Please help us, if you can.
Sinserely,
Suzanne Koenig