Habitat: Areas of sandy or moist alluvial soils.
Habits: Gophers are fossorial (burrowers) and spend little to no time above ground. They construct complex tunnel systems underground. Sites of activity are indicated by a mound of dirt. Gophers eat underground plant parts that they carry back using their external fur-lined cheek pouches. Since the incisors protude through the lips, the lips can be shut behind the teeth, which the animal uses in digging; thus, no dirt enters the mouth. Litters average three to four young. The distribution of this species is correlated strongly with the distribution of suitable soil types. Gophers are quite territorial.
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