Goffers

Goffers, also known as gophers or pocket gophers, are burrowing rodents of the family Geomyidae. They are native to North and Central America. Gophers are characterized by their large, prominent incisors that extend beyond their lips, even when their mouths are closed. These incisors are used for digging and for gnawing on roots and tubers, which form a significant part of their diet.

These animals are solitary and territorial, spending most of their lives underground in extensive tunnel systems. Their burrows can be complex, with chambers for nesting, food storage, and waste disposal. Gophers are easily identifiable by the mounds of soil they push to the surface as they excavate their tunnels. These mounds are typically crescent-shaped or fan-shaped and lack a visible opening, differentiating them from molehills.

Gophers are primarily herbivores, feeding on roots, tubers, bulbs, and occasionally above-ground vegetation. Their diet can include agricultural crops, leading to them being considered pests by farmers and gardeners. They have fur-lined cheek pouches, or "gophers," which they use to carry food back to their burrows.

Reproduction in gophers typically involves one to two litters per year, with average litter sizes ranging from three to six young. The young are born blind and helpless and remain in the nest burrow until they are weaned and capable of independent burrowing. Gophers play a role in soil aeration and nutrient cycling through their burrowing activities, although their impact can be detrimental in cultivated areas.