 Gopher Or pocket gopher , North and Central American burrowing rodent. In United States the chief genera are the Western (Thomomys) and a the Eastern (Geomys) gophers. buff, or dark brown, with the average length of seven to 14 in. fur lined pouches which its cheeks are used to carrying food and nesting material.
It lives and does most of its foraging underground, feeding mostly on roots and tubers. Sometimes it emerges for a change of diet.Its extensive, ramifying tunnels sometimes damage earth dams and banks. It is of some value as an agent of soil aeration and informing humus by burying organic matter. | 
