Yellow-faced Pocket Gopher

Cratogeomys castanops

Yellow-faced pocket gophers are fossorial and are morphologically well adapted for burrowing. They are active throughout the year, especially in autumn. This seasonal trend seems to be correlated with breeding and feeding behaviors (Chase et al., 1982). Crategeomys tends to be very territorial and individuals are notably intolerant of others except during the breeding season. They also exhibit diurnal behaviors in that they tend to feed and burrow throughout the day. Pocket gophers are sometimes considered to be pests by farmers because they will eat crops such as beans, potatoes, and corn (Walker, 1983).

Chase, J.D. 1983. Wild Mammals of North America - Biology, Management, and Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

Walker, E.P. 1983. Mammals of the World (4th edition). The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 552 pp.

Heather Jasso, March 2000.

Last Update: 9 July 2000.