Western Pocket Gopher

The Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama) is a smooth-toothed pocket gopher restricted to the Pacific Northwest. The herbivorous species ranges from coastal Washington, through Oregon, and into north-central California. Four subspecies of the Mazama Pocket Gopher are classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, including T. m. pugetensis (Olympia pocket gopher), T. m. tumuli (Tenino pocket gopher), T. m. glacialis (Roy Prairie pocket gopher), and T. m. yelmensis (Yelm pocket gopher). The Mazama Pocket Gopher is one of the smallest of 35 species in the pocket gopher family. == Description == Mazama pocket gophers are light brown to black in color, with adults ranging in size from 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) in length. The Mazama pocket gopher's distinctive features include pointed claws, long whiskers, and protruding chisel-like front teeth. The pocket gopher serves as prey for a variety of predatory species. The species has poor vision, but excels at digging burrows with their long claws and strong limbs and its burrows are used by a number of other species. The gophers transport food and nesting material by fur pouches on their bodies and pockets within their cheeks. The gopher's diet consists of plant…