Family: Geomyidae, Pocket Gophers view all from this family

Description Color varies greatly: often rich brown or yellowish brown, but also grayish or closely approaching local soil color. White markings under chin. Rounded ear, with dark patch behind that is about 3 times size of ear. L 6 1/2–9 1/8” (165–233 mm); T 1 5/8–3” (40–75 mm); HF 3/4–1 1/4” (20–31 mm); E less than 1/4” (7 mm); Wt 2 3/4–4 5/8 oz (78–130 g).

Similar Species While all western pocket gophers are similar, Botta’s Pocket Gopher in Arizona has more white spots under chin; Camas and Townsend’s pocket gophers are larger; and Western and Mountain pocket gophers have longer, more pointed ears.

Breeding Reproductive season March–June. 1 litter per year in northern parts of range; 2 or 3 in southern. Average of 3–7 young per litter. Gestation 18 days.

Habitat Usually, good soil in meadows or along streams; most often in mountains, but also in lowlands.

Range Southern British Columbia to s Manitoba, and south to ne California and n Nevada, through most of Colorado to isolated portions of n Arizona and n New Mexico; east to w Nebraska and through most of North and South Dakota.

Discussion The Northern Pocket Gopher seldom appears aboveground; when it does, it rarely ventures more than 2 1/2 feet (750 mm) from a burrow entrance. Although usually strictly terrestrial, one was observed swimming across a Canadian river nearly 300 feet (90 m) wide. Except when seeking a mate, this pocket gopher usually behaves ferociously toward its own kind. Males are allowed in burrows of females only in spring, during the mating season. This species is preyed upon by American Badgers, weasels, and gopher snakes.