What is giant pocket gopher?

The giant pocket gopher, also known as the San Bernardino pocket gopher or the Botta's pocket gopher, is a rodent native to California, particularly in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Giant pocket gophers are named for their large cheek pouches, which they use to store food. They have short, stocky bodies and strong forelimbs for digging. Their fur is typically a mixture of light and dark brown, and they have small eyes and ears.

They are herbivores, feeding primarily on plant roots and tubers. They live in burrows underground and are solitary animals, coming together only to mate.

Giant pocket gophers are considered a keystone species in their ecosystem because their burrowing helps aerate the soil and promotes the growth of plant species. However, they can also be considered a pest because their burrowing can damage agricultural crops and cause erosion.

The population of giant pocket gophers is threatened by habitat loss due to human development and climate change. Conservation efforts are aimed at protecting their habitats and promoting awareness of their ecological importance.