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Geomyidae - Pocket Gophers

There are 39 species in this family. Pocket gophers are found in North and Central America.

They have stout bodies, short tails, big heads, small ears and eyes, and short, but powerful legs with strong digging claws.

Pocket gophers are named for their fur-lined cheek pouches. Their cheek pouches are used to carry food and can be turned inside out.

Pocket gophers build elaborate tunnel systems underground. Their tunnel systems have sleeping chambers, food storage chambers, and even bathrooms.

Pocket gophers are solitary animals and eat roots and tubers.

  • The yellow-faced pocket gopher is found in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, and Kansas. It is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Faced Pocket Gopher
    (Cratogeomys castanops)
    The yellow-faced pocket gopher is found in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, and Kansas. It is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Oriental Basin pocket gopher is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Oriental Basin Pocket Gopher
    (Cratogeomys fulvescens)
    The Oriental Basin pocket gopher is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The smoky pocket gopher is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Smoky Pocket Gopher
    (Cratogeomys fumosus)
    The smoky pocket gopher is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Goldman’s pocket gopher is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Goldmans Pocket Gopher
    (Cratogeomys goldmani)
    Goldman’s pocket gopher is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Merriam's pocket gopher is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Merriam's Pocket Gopher
    (Cratogeomys merriami)
    Merriam's pocket gopher is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The desert pocket gopher is found in New Mexico and Texas. It is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Desert Pocket Gopher
    (Geomys arenarius)
    The desert pocket gopher is found in New Mexico and Texas. It is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • Attwater's pocket gopher is found in Texas. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Attwater's Pocket Gopher
    (Geomys attwateri)
    Attwater's pocket gopher is found in Texas. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Baird's pocket gopher is found in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Baird's Pocket Gopher
    (Geomys breviceps)
    Baird's pocket gopher is found in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The plains pocket gopher I found in Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Kansas. It is also found in Manitoba in Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Plains Pocket Gopher
    (Geomys bursarius)
    The plains pocket gopher I found in Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Kansas. It is also found in Manitoba in Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Texas pocket gopher is fund in Texas and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Texas Pocket Gopher
    (Geomys personatus)
    The Texas pocket gopher is fund in Texas and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Hispid pocket gopher is found in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Hispid Pocket Gopher
    (Orthogeomys hispidus)
    The Hispid pocket gopher is found in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Botta's pocket gopher is found in Utah, New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Texas. It is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Botta's Pocket Gopher
    (Thomomys bottae)
    Botta's pocket gopher is found in Utah, New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Texas. It is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Camas pocket gopher is found in Oregon. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Camas Pocket Gopher
    (Thomomys bulbivorus)
    The Camas pocket gopher is found in Oregon. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The western pocket gopher is found in Washington, Oregon, and California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Pocket Gopher
    (Thomomys mazama)
    The western pocket gopher is found in Washington, Oregon, and California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The northern pocket gopher is found in Washington, Wyoming, Minnesota, Idaho, Colorado, North Dakota, Nebraska, Arizona, South Dakota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, California, and Oregon. It is also found in Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Northern Pocket Gopher
    (Thomomys talpoides)
    The northern pocket gopher is found in Washington, Wyoming, Minnesota, Idaho, Colorado, North Dakota, Nebraska, Arizona, South Dakota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, California, and Oregon. It is also found in Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The southern pocket gopher is found in New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico, IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Southern Pocket Gopher
    (Thomomys umbrinus)
    The southern pocket gopher is found in New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico, IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

Pocket gophers are found in North and Central America.
Pocket gophers are found in North and Central America.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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