A remarkable little rodent that lives a quiet life underground, shaping the soil of North America’s grasslands one tunnel at a time. Found across the central United States, from Texas up to Minnesota and into parts of Canada, this species is part of the eastern pocket gopher group and is well-known for its strong digging skills and secretive, solitary nature. Though rarely seen, the plains pocket gopher plays a surprisingly big role in its environment, acting as a natural gardener beneath the prairie.

Physically, the plains pocket gopher is built for a life of digging. It has a stocky body, powerful front limbs with large claws, and big incisor teeth that stick out in front — perfect for chewing through roots and soil. Its eyes and ears are small since it spends nearly all its life underground and doesn’t need sharp vision or hearing. One of its coolest features is the pair of fur-lined cheek pouches that open outside the mouth. These pouches act like built-in grocery bags, letting the gopher carry food — mostly roots and tubers — back to its underground storage chambers without getting them dirty.

The plains pocket gopher is a true tunnel expert. It can dig dozens of meters of tunnels under grasslands, creating a network that includes nesting areas, food storage rooms, and escape routes. When it digs, it pushes the loose soil to the surface, creating fan-shaped mounds that you might spot in fields or along roadsides. Each gopher lives alone in its own tunnel system and fiercely defends its space. It doesn’t hibernate and stays active year-round, even in winter, digging and foraging below the frost line where roots are still available.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Canada

2016

Manitoba

United States

2016