northern pocket gopher Tomomys talpiodes
Order Rodentia Rodents
- Animals with 2 upper & 2 lower incisors and no canines
- Of all mammals, has the most number of worldwide species
Subfamily Geomyidae Pocket Gophers
- Fur-lined pouches on either side of mouth
- Tail always shorter than combined head & body length
Description: burrowing rodents with fur-lined external cheek pouches, tails always shorter than combined head and body length. Difficult to identify to the 5 Norhwest species based on external features alone.
ID traits:
- Stout bodied
- Small eyes & ears
- Large-clawed front paws
- Sparsely haired short tail used as a sensory organ.
- Large front teeth used to loosen soil & rocks and to cut and eat plants.
- Short fur, various colors
- Play important role in aerating soil, increasing water-holding capacity of soil, fertilizing, and creating fresh soil for new seedbeds.
- Provide burrows for reptiles & amphibians.
- Are prey for mammals, birds, & snakes
