Northern subspecies of pocket gopher.

Native status: Native to northern Great Plains

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 13–17 cm; tail 5–7 cm
Weight80–180 g
LifespanWild 2–3 years
OrderRodentia
FamilyGeomyidae

§ Encyclopedia

The northern pocket gopher is a small gopher species native to the western United States and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba.

Source: Wikipedia — Northern pocket gopher Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Stocky brown rodent with massive front claws; external fur-lined cheek pouches.

Similar species. Other Thomomys species.

Voice. Generally silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Roots, tubers, bulbs.

Behavior. Pocket gopher of northern Great Plains.

§ Range

Northern Great Plains

§ Habitat

Grasslands

§ Threats

Habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the northern pocket gopher is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support northern grassland conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Society of Mammalogists
  • IUCN Red List 2016