Small Mammals of North Dakota
Family Geomyidae
Pocket Gophers
The Family Geomyidae also falls under the order Rodentia, the largest order of mammals. Geomyidae consist of pocket gophers, named for their fur-lined external cheek pouches utilized to carry seeds. The word "gopher," often incorrectly used to describe other ground squirrel species, comes from a French word meaning honeycomb, describing the vast series of underground tunnels dug by these creatures. In North Dakota, there are two species of pocket gophers-the northern pocket gopher which is located statewide except the Red River Valley, and the plains pocket gopher found within the Red River Valley.
Both these species are excellent excavators and spend most of their lives underground. Pocket gophers are responsible for the large, soft piles of earth scattered across fields and gardens throughout the state. Excess dirt removed while excavating tunnels is simply pushed above ground in a type of spoil pile. Since gophers seldomly emerge from these mounds, animals are rarely seen and no tunnel or hole is evident when looking on top of the mound.
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