Northern pocket gopher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern pocket gopher |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thomomys
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| Species: |
talpoides
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| Subspecies | |
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T. t. aequalidens |
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The Northern Pocket Gopher (Thomomys talpoides) is a small, amazing animal known for its incredible digging skills! These gophers spend most of their lives underground. They are found across the western United States and in parts of Canada, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
What Do Northern Pocket Gophers Look Like?
Northern Pocket Gophers are usually a rich brown or yellowish-brown color. Sometimes, their fur can be grayish or even match the color of the soil where they live. They often have white markings under their chin. These little diggers are quite small, weighing less than a quarter of a pound (about 110 grams). That's lighter than a can of soda!
They have special features that help them dig. Their front paws are strong with long claws, perfect for moving dirt. They also have large front teeth that they can use for digging. The "pocket" in their name comes from the fur-lined pouches on the outside of their cheeks. They use these pockets to carry food back to their underground homes.
Where Do Northern Pocket Gophers Live?
Northern Pocket Gophers prefer areas with good soil, like meadows or along streams. You can find them in mountains, but they also live in lower areas. They are true underground experts!
These gophers rarely come above ground. When they do, they usually stay very close to their burrow entrance, often no more than 2.5 feet away. But underground, it's a different story! They create long tunnels that can stretch for hundreds of feet. These tunnels are their homes, where they live, store food, and raise their young.
Images for kids
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A Northern Pocket Gopher
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Map showing the range of the Northern Pocket Gopher
