Pocket gopher
| Pocket gophers | ||||||||||||
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Cratogeomys Geomys Orthogeomys Pappogeomys Thomomys Zygogeomys | ||||||||||||
The pocket gophers are burrowing rodents of the family Geomyidae. These are the "true" gophers, though several ground squirrels of the family Sciuridae are often called gophers also. The name "Pocket Gopher" on its own may be used to refer to any of a number of subspecies of the family.
| Table of contents |
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2 Appearance 3 Behaviour 4 Genera 5 Species 6 External links |
Distribution
Pocket Gophers are widely distributed in North America, extending into Central America.
Gopher trapss can be employed to kill them. These traps are very effective and need not be baited. To deploy the trap, dig a hole in a fresh gopher-mound to uncover the tunnel. Insert the cocked trap jaws-first so that the entire trap is within the tunnel, then recover it with dirt. The gopher will push against the trigger plate in order to reacquire access to the hole which has been blocked. In doing so, it will position its body directly above the jaws. When the jaws close, they will break the gopher's spine. Note that the mounds made by moles are different, with the dirt being more finely broken up, and that gopher traps are ineffective against moles.
Appearance
Gophers are heavily built, and most are moderately large, weighing a few hundred grams. A few species reach weights approaching 1 kg. Most gophers have brown fur which often closely matches the color of the soil in which they live. Their most characteristic feature is their large cheek pouches, from which the word "pocket" in their name derives. These pouches are fur-lined, and can be turned inside out. They extend from the side of the mouth well back onto the shoulders.Behaviour
All pocket gophers are burrowers. They are larder hoarders, and their cheek pouches are used for transporting food back to their burrows. Gophers can collect large hoards. Their presence is unambiguously announced by the appearance of mounds of fresh dirt about 20 cm in diameter. These mounds will often appear in vegetable gardens, lawns, or farms, as gophers like moist soil. They also enjoy feeding on vegetables. For this reason, some species are considered agricultural pestss. They may also damage trees in forests.Genera
The following genera are recognised:
Some sources also list a genus Hypogeomys, with one species, but this genus name is normally used for the Malagasy Giant Rat, which belongs to the family Muridae.
Species
There has been much debate among taxonomistss about which races of pocket gopher should be recognised as full species, and the following list cannot be regarded as definitive.
Cratogeomys
Geomys
Orthogeomys
Pappogeomys
Thomomys
Zygogeomys
External links