Western pocket gophers
Order : Rodentia
Suborder : Sciurognathi
Family : Geomyidae
Genus : Thomomys
Facts about the genus Thomomys, the western pocket gophers
All other western pocket gophers are very similar, distinguishable mainly by range.
Discussion--Thomomys is distinguished from other North American geomyids by the absence of a superficial groove on the anterior face of the upper incisors (illustrations in Hall 1981), and none of the I/'s listed above have this groove.
Habitat and Ecology Western pocket gophers are primarily fossorial, spending much of their lives underground.
Mazama Pocket Gopher (Thomomys mazama) Mazama (or Western) Pocket gophers are rodents that spend most of their lives underground, and are particularly well-adapted for burrowing.
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.
SPECIFIC HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Feeding: Western pocket gophers are herbivorous.
Western pocket gophers are rodents found in North
Where three genera overlap, Thomomys is usually in higher rocky soils, Geomys in sands along rivers, and Cratogeomys in between.
Thomomys is more common in wetter environments, along streams, feeding on roots and stems of grasses. (Full text)
Main Entry: thomomys thomomys is one of more than 1,000,000 entries available at Merriam-WebsterUnabridged. (Full text)
Range Map Specific Habitat Requirements Feeding: Western pocket gophers are herbivorous. (Full text)
6 Thomomys is spelled in two ways, and a ground squirrel still retains a generic name (Citellus) that has been invalid for about 40 years. (Full text)
Habitat Western pocket gophers are found in western Washington and Oregon, and south into northern California. (Full text)
