# Gopher

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{{short description|Family of burrowing rodents}}
{{about|the rodent}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Pocket gophers
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|Chadronian|present|ref=<ref>{{Cite journal |author1 =Eduardo Jiménez-Hidalgo |author2 =Rosalía Guerrero-Arenas |author3 =Krister T. Smith |year =2018 |title =''Gregorymys veloxikua'', The Oldest Pocket Gopher (Rodentia: Geomyidae), and The Early Diversification of Geomyoidea |journal =Journal of Mammalian Evolution |volume =25 |issue =3 |pages=427–439 |doi =10.1007/s10914-017-9383-z |s2cid =207195992 }}</ref>}}
| image = Pocket-Gopher_Ano-Nuevo-SP.jpg
| image_caption = [Botta's pocket gopher](/source/Botta's_pocket_gopher) (''Thomomys bottae'')
| taxon = Geomyidae
| authority = [Bonaparte](/source/Charles_Lucien_Jules_Laurent_Bonaparte), 1845
| type_genus = ''[Geomys](/source/Geomys)''
| type_genus_authority =
[Rafinesque](/source/Constantine_Samuel_Rafinesque), 1817
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision = ''[Cratogeomys](/source/Cratogeomys)''<br>
''[Geomys](/source/Geomys)''<br>
''[Heterogeomys](/source/Heterogeomys)''<br> 
''[Orthogeomys](/source/Orthogeomys)''<br>
''[Pappogeomys](/source/Pappogeomys)''<br>
''[Thomomys](/source/Thomomys)''<br>
''[Zygogeomys](/source/Zygogeomys)''
| diversity = Around 41 species in 7 genera
| range_map = File:Geomyidae distribution.png
| range_map_caption = Geomyidae distribution
}}
{{wikt | gopher}}
'''Pocket gophers''', commonly referred to simply as '''gophers''', are [burrowing](/source/burrowing) [rodent](/source/rodent)s of the family '''Geomyidae'''.<ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.dfw.state.or.us/species/mammals/gopher.asp |title =ODFW, Oregon Wildlife Species: Gophers |website =Dfw.state.or.us |date =2014-08-25 |access-date =2017-05-27 |archive-date =2016-02-08 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160208185711/http://www.dfw.state.or.us/species/mammals/Gopher.asp |url-status =dead }}</ref> The roughly 41 species<ref name="ASM">Search results for "Geomyidae" on the [https://www.mammaldiversity.org/explore.html ASM Mammal Diversity Database] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028140029/https://www.mammaldiversity.org/explore.html |date=2020-10-28 }}.</ref> are all [endemic](/source/endemism) to North and Central America.<ref>{{cite web |title=Outwit Critters |url=http://www.outwitcritters.com/gopher/|access-date=16 January 2014 |quote=There are 35 species of gophers living in both North and Central America.}}</ref>  They are commonly known for their extensive tunneling activities and their ability to damage farms and gardens.

The name "pocket gopher" on its own may refer to any of a number of [genera](/source/genus) within the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) Geomyidae. These are the "true" gophers, but several [ground squirrel](/source/ground_squirrel)s in the distantly related family [Sciuridae](/source/Sciuridae) are often called "gophers", as well. The origin of the word "gopher" is uncertain; the French {{Lang|fr|gaufre}}, meaning "[waffle](/source/waffle)", has been suggested, on account of the gopher tunnels resembling the [honeycomb](/source/honeycomb)-like pattern of holes in a waffle.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/gopher |title =Gopher - definition of gopher in English &#124; Oxford Dictionaries |access-date =2017-04-03 |url-status =dead |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170404043931/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/gopher |archive-date =2017-04-04 }}</ref> Some sources suggest a [Muskogean](/source/Muskogean_languages) origin of the name.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=gopher |title =American Heritage Dictionary Entry: gopher |website =Ahdictionary.com |access-date =2017-05-27}}
</ref>
thumb|220px|A typical pocket gopher

== Description ==
Pocket gophers weigh around {{convert|1/2|lb|g|order=flip|sigfig=1|abbr=on}}, and are about {{convert|6-8|in|cm|order=flip|abbr=on}} in body length, with a tail {{convert|1-2|in|cm|order=flip|round=0.5|abbr=on}} long. A few species reach weights approaching {{convert|1|kg|abbr=on}}.  Within any particular gopher species, the males are larger than the females, and can be nearly double their weight.<ref>{{cite book
  | editor-last = Macdonald | editor-first = David W.
  | title = The Encyclopedia of Mammals | publisher = Oxford University Press
  | year=  2006  | isbn = 0-19-920608-2 }}</ref>

Average lifespans are one to three years.<ref name="Hygnstrom">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gt-Yk3CRuXMC&pg=SL2-PA21 | title=Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage | publisher=DIANE Publishing Inc. | author=Hygnstrom, Scott E. | year=2010 | page=B–21 | isbn=978-1-4379-3688-9}}</ref> The maximum lifespan for the pocket gopher is about five years.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a5OP19f_oPQC&pg=PA5 | title=Small Grain Production Pt 8: Pest Management -- Vertebrates | publisher=UCANR Publications | author=Whisson, Delsey | year=2006 | page=5 | isbn=1-60107-411-5}}</ref> Some gophers, such as those in the [genus](/source/genus) ''[Geomys](/source/Geomys)'', have lifespans that have been documented as up to seven years in the wild.<ref name="Hygnstrom" />

Most gophers have brown fur that often closely matches the color of the [soil](/source/soil) in which they live.  Their most characteristic features are their large [cheek](/source/cheek) pouches, from which the word "pocket" in their name derives.  These pouches are fur-lined, can be turned inside out, and extend from the side of the mouth well back onto the shoulders. Gophers have small eyes and a short, hairy tail, which they use to feel around tunnels when they walk backwards.

Pocket gophers have often been found to carry external [parasites](/source/Parasitism) including, most commonly, lice, but also ticks, fleas, and mites.<ref name="Hygnstrom" /> Common predators of the gopher include [weasel](/source/weasel)s, [snake](/source/snake)s, and [hawk](/source/hawk)s.<ref name="nwf pocket gophers">{{cite web | url=http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/mammals/pocket-gophers.aspx | title=Pocket Gophers | publisher=National Wildlife Federation | access-date=19 January 2014 | archive-date=13 January 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113224319/http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/mammals/pocket-gophers.aspx | url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Behavior ===
All pocket gophers create a network of [tunnel](/source/Burrow) systems that provide protection and a means of collecting food. They are [larder hoarders](/source/hoarding_(animal_behavior)), and their cheek pouches are used for transporting food back to their burrows. Gophers can collect large hoards. Unlike [ground squirrel](/source/ground_squirrel)s, gophers do not live in large communities and seldom find themselves above ground. Tunnel entrances can be identified by small piles of loose soil covering the opening.<ref name="a-z-animals">{{cite web | url=http://a-z-animals.com/animals/gopher | title=Gopher | publisher=A-Z Animals | access-date=19 January 2014}}</ref> Burrows are in many areas where the soil is softer and easily tunneled. Gophers often visit vegetable gardens, lawns, or farms, as they like moist soil (see [Soil biomantle](/source/Soil_biomantle)). This has led to their frequent treatment as [pests](/source/pest_(organism)).

Gophers eat plant roots, shrubs, and other vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, radishes, and any other vegetables with juice.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pocket Gopher FAQs|url=http://gophergetter.us/faq/|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-date=3 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064635/http://gophergetter.us/faq/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some species are considered agricultural pests. The resulting destruction of plant life then leaves the area a stretch of [denuded](/source/denuded) soil.  At the same time, the soil disturbance created by turning it over can lead to the early establishment of [ecological succession](/source/ecological_succession) in [communities](/source/Community_(ecology)) of [r-selected](/source/R%2FK_selection_theory) and other [ruderal plant species](/source/Ruderal_species).  The stashing and subsequent decomposition of plant material in the gophers' larder can produce deep fertilization of the soil.

Pocket gophers are solitary outside of the [breeding season](/source/Seasonal_breeder), aggressively maintaining [territories](/source/Territory_(animal)) that vary in size depending on the resources available. Males and females may share some burrows and nesting chambers if their territories border each other, but in general, each pocket gopher inhabits its own individual tunnel system. Although they attempt to flee when threatened, they may attack other animals, including [cat](/source/cat)s and humans, and can inflict serious bites with their long, sharp teeth.

Depending on the species and local conditions, pocket gophers may have a specific annual breeding season, or may breed repeatedly through the year. Each litter typically consists of two to five young, although this may be much higher in some species. The young are born blind and helpless and are [weaned](/source/weaning) when around 40 days old.<ref name="EoM">{{cite book|editor= Macdonald, D.|author= Patton, James|year= 1984|title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location= New York|pages= [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/628 628–631]|isbn= 0-87196-871-1|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/628}}</ref>

==Control==
''Geomys'' and ''Thomomys'' species are classed as "prohibited new organisms" under New Zealand's [Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996](/source/Hazardous_Substances_and_New_Organisms_Act_1996), preventing them from being imported into the country.<ref>{{citation| url=http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0030/latest/DLM386556.html#DLM386556|title=Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 2003 - Schedule 2 Prohibited new organisms|publisher=New Zealand Government|access-date=26 January 2012}}</ref>

== Classification ==
{{further|List of geomyids}}

Much debate exists among [taxonomists](/source/Taxonomy_(biology)) about which races of pocket gophers should be recognized as full species, and the following list cannot be regarded as definitive.
thumb|Attwater's pocket gopher (''Geomys attwateri'') from Colorado County, Texas, US
* Family '''Geomyidae'''<ref name="ASM"/>
** Genus ''[Cratogeomys](/source/Cratogeomys)''; some authors treat this genus as a subgenus of ''[Pappogeomys](/source/Pappogeomys)''.
*** [Yellow-faced pocket gopher](/source/Yellow-faced_pocket_gopher) (''Cratogeomys castanops'')
*** [Oriental Basin pocket gopher](/source/Oriental_Basin_pocket_gopher) (''C. fulvescens'')
*** [Smoky pocket gopher](/source/Smoky_pocket_gopher) (''C. fumosus'')
*** [Goldman's pocket gopher](/source/Goldman's_pocket_gopher) (''C. goldmani'')
*** [Merriam's pocket gopher](/source/Merriam's_pocket_gopher) (''C. merriami'')
*** [Perote pocket gopher](/source/Perote_pocket_gopher) (''C. perotensis'')
*** [Volcan de Toluca pocket gopher](/source/Volcan_de_Toluca_pocket_gopher) (''C. planiceps)''
** Genus ''[Geomys](/source/Geomys)'' – eastern pocket gophers; principally live in the southwestern United States, east of the [Sierra Nevada](/source/Sierra_Nevada_(U.S.)) mountains
*** [Desert pocket gopher](/source/Desert_pocket_gopher) (''Geomys arenarius'')
*** [Attwater's pocket gopher](/source/Attwater's_pocket_gopher) (''G. attwateri'')
*** [Baird's pocket gopher](/source/Baird's_pocket_gopher) (''G. breviceps'')
*** [Plains pocket gopher](/source/Plains_pocket_gopher) (''G. bursarius'')
*** [Hall's pocket gopher](/source/Hall's_pocket_gopher) (''G. jugossicularis)''
*** [Knox Jones's pocket gopher](/source/Knox_Jones's_pocket_gopher) (''G. knoxjonesi'')
*** [Sand Hills pocket gopher](/source/Sand_Hills_pocket_gopher) (''G. lutescens)''
*** [Texas pocket gopher](/source/Texas_pocket_gopher) (''G. personatus'')
*** [Southeastern pocket gopher](/source/Southeastern_pocket_gopher) (''G. pinetis'')
*** [Strecker's pocket gopher](/source/Strecker's_pocket_gopher) (''G. streckeri)''
*** [Central Texas pocket gopher](/source/Central_Texas_pocket_gopher) (''G. texensis'')
*** [Tropical pocket gopher](/source/Tropical_pocket_gopher) (''G. tropicalis'')
** Genus ''[Heterogeomys](/source/Heterogeomys)'' – giant pocket gophers or taltuzas; live in Mexico, Central America, and Colombia; some authors treat this genus as a subgenus of ''[Orthogeomys](/source/Orthogeomys)''.
*** [Chiriqui pocket gopher](/source/Chiriqui_pocket_gopher) (''Heterogeomys cavator'')
*** [Cherrie's pocket gopher](/source/Cherrie's_pocket_gopher) (''H. cherriei'')
*** [Darien pocket gopher](/source/Darien_pocket_gopher) (''H. dariensis'')
*** [Variable pocket gopher](/source/Variable_pocket_gopher) (''H. heterodus'')
*** [Hispid pocket gopher](/source/Hispid_pocket_gopher) (''H. hispidus'')
*** [Big pocket gopher](/source/Big_pocket_gopher) (''H. lanius'')
*** [Underwood's pocket gopher](/source/Underwood's_pocket_gopher) (''H. underwoodi'')
** Genus ''[Orthogeomys](/source/Orthogeomys)''; live in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico;
*** [Giant pocket gopher](/source/Giant_pocket_gopher) (''O. grandis'')
** Genus ''[Pappogeomys](/source/Pappogeomys)''; live in Mexico
*** [Buller's pocket gopher](/source/Buller's_pocket_gopher) (''P. bulleri'')
** Genus ''[Thomomys](/source/Thomomys)'' – western pocket gophers; widely distributed in North America, extending into the northwestern US, Canada, and the southeastern US.
*** [Black-and-Brown pocket gopher](/source/Black-and-Brown_pocket_gopher) (''T. atrovarius)''
*** [Botta's pocket gopher](/source/Botta's_pocket_gopher) (''T. bottae'')
*** [Camas pocket gopher](/source/Camas_pocket_gopher) (''T. bulbivorus'')
*** [Wyoming pocket gopher](/source/Wyoming_pocket_gopher) (''T. clusius'')
*** [Idaho pocket gopher](/source/Idaho_pocket_gopher) (''T. idahoensis'')
*** [Mazama pocket gopher](/source/Mazama_pocket_gopher) (''T. mazama'')
*** [Mountain pocket gopher](/source/Mountain_pocket_gopher) (''T. monticola'')
*** [Nayar pocket gopher](/source/Nayar_pocket_gopher) (''T. nayarensis)''
*** [Sierra Madre Occidental pocket gopher](/source/Sierra_Madre_Occidental_pocket_gopher) (''T. sheldoni)''
*** [Northern pocket gopher](/source/Northern_pocket_gopher) (''T. talpoides'')
*** [Townsend's pocket gopher](/source/Townsend's_pocket_gopher) (''T. townsendii'')
*** [Southern pocket gopher](/source/Southern_pocket_gopher) (''T. umbrinus'')
** Genus ''[Zygogeomys](/source/Zygogeomys)''
*** [Michoacan pocket gopher](/source/Michoacan_pocket_gopher) (''Zygogeomys trichopus'')

Some sources also list a genus ''[Hypogeomys](/source/Hypogeomys)'', with one species, but this genus name is normally used for the [Malagasy giant rat](/source/Malagasy_giant_rat), which belongs to the family [Nesomyidae](/source/Nesomyidae).

== In popular culture ==
{{prose|section|date=August 2024}}
* [Minnesota](/source/Minnesota) is nicknamed the "Gopher State", and the [University of Minnesota](/source/University_of_Minnesota)'s athletics teams are collectively known as the [Golden Gophers](/source/Minnesota_Golden_Gophers), led by mascot [Goldy Gopher](/source/Goldy_Gopher). The Golden Gopher, however, refers to the [Thirteen-lined ground squirrel](/source/Thirteen-lined_ground_squirrel), which is not a member of the Geomyidae family.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thirteen-lined ground squirrel |url=https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/thirteenlinedgroundsquirrel.html |website=Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |access-date=6 June 2023 |quote=The 13 liner is very familiar to Minnesotans because this little animal is the mascot for the University of Minnesota's "Golden Gophers!"}}</ref>
* [Gopher](/source/Gopher_(Winnie_the_Pooh)) is a recurring character in [Disney](/source/Disney)'s ''[Winnie the Pooh](/source/Winnie_the_Pooh_(franchise))'' franchise.
* A gopher puppet is featured prominently in the film ''[Caddyshack](/source/Caddyshack)'' and [the sequel](/source/Caddyshack_II).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FTL5AQAAQBAJ&pg=PA48|title=The Book of Caddyshack: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Greatest Movie Ever Made|first=Scott|last=Martin|date=25 March 2007|publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing|isbn=9781589795143|via=Google Books}}</ref> 
* The mascot of the [Go programming language](/source/Go_(programming_language)) is the Go Gopher.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.golang.org/gopher|title=The Go Gopher - The Go Blog}}</ref> 
* [Gordon the Gopher](/source/Gordon_the_Gopher) is an English puppet gopher that appeared on [Children's BBC](/source/Children's_BBC) between 1985 and 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/broom_cupboard/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914005150/http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/broom_cupboard/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 14, 2010 |title=Archive - The CBBC Broom Cupboard - 25 Years of live Children's BBC presentation |publisher=[BBC](/source/BBC) |access-date=2017-05-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/aug/06/gordon-the-gopher-phillip-schofield|title=Gordon's alive! Phillip Schofield's puppet sidekick is back|first=Guardian|last=TV|date=6 August 2015|newspaper=[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)}}</ref>
* [Mac and Tosh](/source/Goofy_Gophers) from the [Looney Tunes](/source/Looney_Tunes) franchise are a couple of extremely well mannered gophers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lenburg |first1=Jeff |title=The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons |date=1999 |publisher=Checkmark Books |isbn=0-8160-3831-7 |access-date=6 June 2020 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780816038312/page/86/mode/2up |page=87}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Mammals}}
* [Mole](/source/Mole_(animal))
* [Naked mole rat](/source/Naked_mole_rat)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Geomyidae|<br>Geomyidae<br>(Pocket gophers)}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080706155459/http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/chordata/mammalia/rodentia/geomyidae.html Article on the Animal Diversity Web site]
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Pocket-gopher|short=x}}
*{{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Gopher|short=x}}

{{Geomyidae nav}}
{{Rodents}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q756901}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gopher}}
Category:Gophers
Category:Rodents of Central America
Category:Rodents of Canada
Category:Rodents of Mexico
Category:Rodents of the United States
Category:Agricultural pests
Category:Fauna of the Western United States
Category:Fauna of the California chaparral and woodlands
Category:Extant Eocene first appearances
Category:Taxa named by Charles Lucien Bonaparte
Category:Mammals of the United States
Category:Mammals of Central America
Category:Mammals of Canada
Category:Mammals of Mexico

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gopher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopher) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopher?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.