Geomys pinetis Rafinesque, 1817

Common Name and Relative Size

Geomys pinetis, commonly called the southeastern pocket gopher, is smaller than the closely related plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius).

Body Length

Its total average length is 260 mm (10.2 in), including a tail that measures approximately 86 mm (3.4 in).

Sexual Dimorphism and Weight

Males are larger than females, with an average weight of 176 g (6.2 oz), while females average 136 g (4.8 oz).

Fur Coloration

The gopher’s dorsal fur is cinnamon brown, and its underparts are paler, with a buff or reddish-yellow tint.

Extremity Coloration

Its feet and tail are white or pale buff.

External Cheek Pouches

Like other members of the Geomyidae family, this species has external cheek pouches that can be turned inside-out for grooming.

Subterranean Adaptations

It is well adapted to an underground lifestyle, with large, protruding incisor teeth for tearing roots, and powerful claws on its forefeet for digging.

Geographic Range

This species is restricted to the southeastern United States, where it occurs in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

Dry Sandy Habitat Types

It occupies a range of dry, sandy habitats: it can be found in sand-hill country with longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and turkey oak (Quercus laevis), as well as in slightly moister hammocks (low mounds) among sand hills that host Quercus virginiana and other hardwood trees.

Non-dune Habitats

Away from sand dunes, it lives in longleaf pine woodland and scrubby sand pine (Pinus clausa) habitats.

Surface Presence Indicators

The presence of southeastern pocket gophers in an area is obvious from the numerous piles of sandy soil they push to the surface.

Subspecies Taxonomy Note

The subspecies G. p. mobilensis, which occurs west of the Apalachicola River, may be a distinct species.

Subspecies Differentiation Evidence

Genetic studies have found it to be genetically distinct from the other subspecies of G. pinetis, and G. p. mobilensis hosts a different louse species than the nominate subspecies; lice typically speciate alongside their host species within the Geomyidae.

Solitary Behavior and Shallow Tunnels

Geomys pinetis is a solitary animal that digs shallow tunnels, marked by a series of mounds made of excavated soil.

Mound Construction

The gopher pushes soil up with its front limbs and chest, creating a fan-shaped mound with the tunnel opening at one side.

Burrow Entrance Behavior

The burrow entrance is immediately blocked with soil after construction.

Tunnel System Connection

These shallow tunnels connect to a deeper tunnel system via a spiral "staircase".

Deep Burrow Chambers

The deeper tunnels hold food storage chambers and a nest chamber, which is lined with dried vegetation and plant fibres.

Breeding Season

Breeding occurs in spring and summer, with activity peaking around February to March and June to July.

Reproduction Traits

The gestation period is about four weeks, and the average litter size is two.

Fecundity and Survival

Despite this low fecundity, the southeastern pocket gopher is a common animal, which indicates good offspring survival.

Above Ground Activity Evidence

Evidence that the gophers sometimes emerge above ground includes green forage in their diet and the fact that owls sometimes prey on them.

Underground Predators

Underground predators are rare, with the main threats being snakes and weasels.

Activity Period

The southeastern pocket gopher is active year-round.

Diet Composition

It feeds on underground roots and rhizomes, and on green plants including grasses, sedges, and weeds that it can reach from near its burrow entrance.

Food Storage Behavior

It gathers large quantities of vegetation to carry back and store in dedicated chambers in its burrow.

Burrowing Ecological Role

Because its burrowing activity promotes plant growth, it has been suggested that southeastern pocket gophers act as farmers.

Burrow Commensals

A number of arthropods share the gophers' burrows, including around fourteen species that are not found anywhere else.

Agricultural Pest Status

Southeastern pocket gophers are often drawn to cultivated land, particularly sweet potato crops, and can also be pests in peanut, pea, and sugarcane crops.