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.

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).

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