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Ever wonder what these fluffy little herbivorous gophers are eating? Read on to find out all about their favorite herbs and plants.
What is a gopher?
Gophers are small rodents belonging to the Geomyidae family. They are related to the kangaroo rat and the pocket mouse. Although they are sometimes confused with marmots and prairie dogs, there are key differences between all of these rodent species.
Gophers are fossilized, which means they spend most of their time underground. They eat, mate and sleep in their burrows. Marmots and prairie dogs also build burrows, but spend most of their time above the ground. They only use their burrows to hide food and hide from predators.
Ground squirrels are also much smaller than marmots. The average ground squirrel weighs about 2 pounds and the marmot weighs about 15 pounds.
Is a gopher the same as a pocket gopher?
Yes, they are different names for the same animal. They are not called that because they are small enough to fit in your pocket, although it is understandable why you think so. In fact, they got their name from the handbags or pockets on their faces. They use these pockets to carry large quantities of food.
This brings us to the next question.
What does a gopher eat?
Gophers mainly eat herbs and herbs. Herbs are a family of wild plants with broad leaves and herbaceous stems. Some examples of herbs are sunflower, prickly asters, goldenrod, watercress, and hyssop. Most forbs bloom, but these are not bushes.
Gophers are herbivores that feed on plants, flowers, and plant matter. They sometimes eat lettuce, carrots, and other vegetables, but rarely eat seeds or fruits.
Study of the gopher’s eating habits
In a study of gophers in eastern Colorado, researchers found that 64% of the gophers’ diet was grass. They also found that herbs were a favorite food for gophers in the spring and summer when the plants are succulent.
The researchers sorted the herbs by percentage in the gopher’s diet. Most of all they ate:
- Needle and thread grass (22%).
- Cleansing rush (14%).
- Mosquito grass. (12%)
- Oriental prickly pear cactus (9%).
In another study of pocket gophers in Nebraska, scientists studied the eating habits of animals over three years. There, they also discovered that needle, thread, and cleaning were the main sources of food.
Herbs made up almost half of what gophers ate in this region. However, these same ground squirrels have a strong preference for other herbs available in spring and summer.
Among the forbs that gophers loved most, there was perennial ragweed (Ambrosia phyllostachia), sweet clover (Melilotus sp.), and fragile prickly pear (prickly pear).
What’s your favorite gopher food?
- Needle and thread of grass (Hersperostipa comata) is a perennial herb that grows in bunches and is suitable for dry sandy soils. This is an eaglegrass variety that looks like a dry matted beard. Needle grass is considered a critical habitat. This herb can grow up to 4 feet. It is one of the most commonly used herbs in land reclamation and restoration.
- Purifying rush (Equisetum hyemale affinis) is a grass native to North America that looks like a long green reed. It grows wild in pastures and is suitable for hot, sunny climates. Grows on dunes, open forest areas, roadside ditches and pastures. Horsetail is a plant that produces dense clusters on its stems. In the past, people used these coarse, thick brushes as dishwashing sponges. Hence the plant got its general name.
- Mosquito grass (Bouteloua gracilis) is a small herb native to the central states of the United States. It is a delicate herb known for its graceful striped leaves. It is often grown as an ornamental plant, but is an important food source in the wild. It grows well in poor dry soils and has striped blue and gray leaves. In summer, it produces small purple flowers.
- Oriental prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) – blooming succulent with striped leaves. It has the largest habitat of any cactus species in the United States. It grows in dry outdoor areas and can withstand extreme high and low temperatures. You can find it in hedges, rocky outcrops, and dunes. In a Nebraska study, researchers found that prickly pear cactus was the most important food source for gophers in the Midwest.
- Prairie Junegrass (Coleria makranta) is a local herb that grows well in dry sandy conditions. It is a tall plant with buds that are sometimes red and green. This is a common sight on the prairie. This herb is often used for land reclamation and stopping soil erosion. Prairie June is an important food source for many animals. It is a perennial plant that blooms in June and July.
- Kentucky bluegrass (Meadow bluegrass) is a slow-growing herb native to the northeastern United States. It is usually found in pastures. It tolerates frequent grazing and many soil and weather conditions. The Kentucky bluegrass flavor is a favorite of many animals, especially free-range cattle. It is named for the bluish green color of its leaves.
A complete list of 8 foods a gopher eats
- Needle and thread of grass.
- The rush of cleansing.
- Prairie Junegrass.
- Opuntia cactus.
- Kentucky bluegrass.
- Perennial ragweed.
- Sweet clover.
- The prickly pear is fragile.
Who are the gopher predators?
Gophers are prey to larger carnivores, including coyotes, lynxes, and snakes. Sometimes predators such as owls and hawks hunt gophers.
Do gophers hunt for prey?
No, they don’t. Some researchers have found insects in the diet of gophers, but they can accidentally eat them when they chew on grass. There is no evidence that they prey on insects.
Next: what do seals eat?
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