Family: Geomyidae, Pocket Gophers view all from this family

Description Reddish brown or various shades of gray to black, depending on soil color. Pointed ear, with dark patch behind that is 5 times size of ear. L 7 1/4–9 3/8" (183–239 mm); T 2 1/8–3 1/8" (53–81 mm); HF 1–1 3/8" (25–35 mm); E 1/4– 3/8" (7–9 mm); Wt 1 7/8–3 3/8 oz (52–96 g).

Similar Species Mountain Pocket Gopher, is duller tawny, russet, or brown. Very similar Northern Pocket Gopher occurs in different range.

Habitat Prairies to mountain meadows.

Range Western Washington and w Oregon, and south into n California.

Discussion Unlike most pocket gophers in its range, the Western spends a great deal of time aboveground, mostly at night, but also on warm, dark days. Sometimes it simply pokes its nose up through the ground to cut vegetation; at other times, it bends down vegetation to collect the seeds. It feeds heavily on grasses, false dandelions, garlic, and lupine. Owls, some larger mammals, and gopher snakes are frequent predators.