Family: Geomyidae, Pocket Gophers view all from this family

Description A relatively large pocket gopher; larger in North, smaller in South. Pale brown to black (in Illinois); slightly paler below. Little variation in color at any one locality, but color varies greatly over its range, matching the soil. Long, sparsely haired tail. White feet. L 7 3/8-14" (187-357 mm); T 2-4 1/4" (51-107 mm); HF 7/8-1 5/8" (23-43 mm); Wt 4 1/2-12 1/2 oz (127-354 g).

Similar Species Yellow-faced Pocket Gopher has only 1 groove on its upper incisors. Texas Pocket Gopher is usually larger. The 3 species of pocket gophers in eastern Texas-Attwater's, Baird's, and Plains-are distinct genetically but very close morphologically. Baird's averages smallest, Attwater's is intermediate in size, and Plains is largest.

Breeding l litter per year of 1-7 young, born in spring after gestation of at least 51 days. Time of birth can vary greatly with latitude. Birth weight 1/8 oz (5 g); newborn length 1 3/4" (46 mm).

Habitat Prairie areas with sandy loam or loam soils; pastures; lawns; sometimes plowed ground.

Range Eastern North Dakota, Minnesota, and w Wisconsin south through c Illinois, nw Indiana, and much of Missouri and Arkansas to w Louisiana; west and south through s South Dakota, se Wyoming, e Colorado, e New Mexico, and ne two-thirds of Texas.

Discussion The only pocket gopher present over most of its range, the Plains Pocket Gopher is much more active in summer than in winter. Burrows are shallow in summer, usually within 1 foot (300 mm) of the surface, and deeper in winter, when dirt is pushed up into the snow, leaving earthen cores when the snow melts. A burrow in Wisconsin was described as having a main tunnel 200 feet (60 m) long, with many short lateral branches, most not reaching the surface. There was a single nest cavity in the center of the system, about 10 inches (245 mm) below the surface. Tunnels were about 6 inches (150 mm) below the surface, but reached a depth of 38 inches (965 mm) in one place. The main tunnel was 3 inches (75 mm) wide and 4 1/2 inches (115 mm) high. There were two food caches, and feces were found in plugged lateral tunnels. The Plains Pocket Gopher feeds primarily on roots, bulbs, and tender green plants, many of which are probably cut off at the roots and pulled into the burrow. Some plants are probably collected near the burrow entrances. Food is transported in the animal's cheek pouches, and much is stored in caches in the burrow system. The cheek pouches are filled very rapidly with the forepaws, using a wiping motion that forces the food into the open end of the mouth. To empty the pouches, the animal brings both forefeet from back to front against its cheeks, thus forcing the food out in a pile in front. In early spring, the male leaves his burrow to seek a female; after having mated, he returns to his solitary ways.