pocket gopherArticle Free Pass pocket gopher (family Geomyidae),
any of 38 species of predominantly North and Central American
rodents named for their large, fur-lined cheek pouches. The
“pockets” open externally on each side of the mouth and extend
from the face to the shoulders; they can be everted for
cleaning. The lips can be closed behind the protruding, chisel-
like upper front teeth, which thereby allows the gopher to
excavate soil without ingesting it. Thickset and cylindrical,
pocket gophers are 12 to 35 cm (4.7 to 13.8 inches) in body
length, with a short neck, small eyes and ears, and short legs.
The five front digits on each muscular foreleg bear long and
powerful digging claws. The short, sparsely haired tail is
sensitive and well supplied with blood vessels and nerves. Coat
colour varies among species from almost white through tones of
yellow and brown to black. Pocket gophers excavate long shallow,
winding tunnels to obtain roots and tubers. Burrows for nesting
and food storage, however, are dee