Back غوفر قصير الرأس Arabic غوفر قصير الراس ARZ Tovumol (Geomys breviceps) AVK Geomys breviceps Bulgarian Geomys breviceps Catalan Geomys breviceps CEB Baird-Taschenratte German Geomys breviceps Basque Geomys breviceps French 베어드흙파는쥐 Korean
| Baird's pocket gopher | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Geomyidae |
| Genus: | Geomys |
| Species: | G. breviceps
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| Binomial name | |
| Geomys breviceps Baird, 1855
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 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2024) |
Baird's pocket gopher or the Louisiana pocket gopher (Geomys breviceps)[2] is a species of pocket gopher that is native to the southern United States. In total, there are three almost identical species of eastern pocket gopher; Geomys attwateri, G. bursarius, and G. breviceps. G. breviceps is larger in size, G. attwateri is medium-sized and G. bursarius is a bit smaller.[3] Other than by size variation they are not identifiable by external features. Baird's pocket gophers are small rodents with most of their weight on the top half of their bodies.
Baird's pocket gopher is native to eastern Texas, western Louisiana, eastern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas.[2] It is a burrowing creature, meaning it digs tunnels and generally lives underground, except during the rainy seasons. It has sharp, long, curved front claws designed specifically for digging. Generally, it is safe from predators since it lives underground, though other burrowing rodents such as badgers and long-tailed weasels may pose a threat. Baird's pocket gopher has bacteria in its digestive system, allowing it to digest various grasses and it is able to re-ingest fecal pellets.[2] It is polygamous and has a high reproductive rate, which is one of the main reasons for its survival. On average, Baird's pocket gopher has two to three babies per litter.[3] It lives about 1 to 2 years in the wild.[3]
- ^ Cassola, F. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Geomys breviceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136840A115212715. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T136840A22217664.en. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ a b c Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. "Geomys breviceps." North American Mammals. 2009. 7 May 2009. [1]
- ^ a b c Davis, W. B. & Schmidly, D. J. (1997). "Baird's Pocket Gopher". The Mammals of Texas-Online Edition. Retrieved 10 May 2009.