Thomomys
townsendii
(Townsend's Pocket
Gopher)
Description:
The Townsend’s pocket gopher
is larger than the other pocket gophers in Idaho: total length is 9 to 13 ¼
inches (225-354 mm), tail length is 2 to 4 ½ inches (50-112 mm). They are variable
in color from a darkish brown to a lighter dark buff, but most are grayish brown.
Underneath they are slightly lighter in color, and their upper feet, tail and
chin are white. Dark patches behind the ears are also present.
Range:
This species is found in
widely separated populations, one in southeastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho
northern Nevada, and northeastern California and they have been found in southcentral
Idaho as well. They may have once had a continuous range in Idaho, but perhaps
modern land use practices has limited their distribution in some areas. Its
also possible that a decrease in precipitation
over a long period of
time may have changed their distribution.
Habitat:
Townsend’s gopher is
found in deep soils of river valleys, in old lake beds, and in irrigated farmland.
In Idaho, they prefer moist river valleys and irrigated farmland. This species
may be more limited to specific soil conditions than other gopher species, preferring
moist and deep soils typical of around lakes and river bottomlands.
Diet:
They eat roots, tubers,
and some surface vegetation. In Idaho, their diet includes roots of saltgrass,
roots and stems of grasses, alfalfa, grains, and crops.
Ecology:
Like all pocket gophers
they are primarily nocturnal and fossorial. They forage from underground
burrows, and they may pull plants down through the soil (from the surface) into
their burrow. They sometimes forage above ground. They collect food in cheek
pouches and carry it to underground storage areas. They are active throughout
the year; pocket gophers do not hibernate. They are primarily solitary,
and individuals fight viciously when together. This species is the largest Idaho
pocket gopher. Pocket gophers are ecologically important as prey items and in
favorably influencing soils, the microtopography, habitat heterogeneity, enhancing the diversity of plant species, and
increasing primary
productivity.
Reproduction:
Females may produce
2 or more litters of 3 to 10 young per litter each year. Gestation lasts approximately 19
days.
Conservation:
 Status: |
 Unprotected
nongame species |
|
Global Rank: |
|
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State Rank: |
S4 |