324 FARM FRIENDS AND FARM FOES 



POCKET GOPHERS 



The Pocket Gophers of the family Geomyidse form one 

 of the most vexatious groups of rodents. They are rather 

 small molelike creatures with a marvelous ability to dig 

 their way through loose soil. They live in underground 

 burrows and feed upon the roots of trees, vegetables, and 

 forage crops, as well as the leaves of many plants. They 

 are especially destructive to potatoes and in alfalfa fields. 



The various species of Pocket Gophers found in the 



GEORGIA GOPHER 



United States occur chiefly in the region west of the 

 Mississippi River, though one is found in Georgia, Alabama, 

 and Florida, and another in Wisconsin and Illinois. The 

 Prairie Gopher is one of the most destructive species, as it 

 inhabits the fertile region of the Mississippi Valley. The 

 Plains Pocket Gopher occurs in more arid regions west, and 

 the Gray Pocket Gopher is even more widely distributed 

 over both prairies and plains. 



The structure of the Pocket Gophers admirably adapts 

 them to their underground life. The bodies are thickly 

 clothed with fine hair that repels moisture and earth ; the 

 heads are pointed, the eyes and ears are small, the front 

 feet are especially adapted to digging, and the tail is so 



