Baird's Pocket Gopher
Geomys breviceps
G. breviceps is characterized by its relatively small size and short tail (hence the name breviceps, meaning "short head"). Its coloration is typically dark brown to blac…
How to identify
G. breviceps is characterized by its relatively small size and short tail (hence the name breviceps, meaning "short head"). Its coloration is typically dark brown to blackish. The upper incisors have two distinct grooves. Skull morphology, particularly the shape of the incisors and the size of the auditory bullae, aids in identification. Total length ranges from 180-250 mm.
Range
G. breviceps occurs in a range spanning from eastern Texas and Oklahoma eastward through Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and into western Tennessee and Kentucky.
Habitat
G. breviceps prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils in a variety of habitats, including prairies, open woodlands, and agricultural fields. It is often found in areas with relatively high soil moisture.
Similar species
G. breviceps can be confused with Geomys bursarius in areas where their ranges overlap, especially in eastern Oklahoma and Arkansas. Subtle differences in size, color, and cranial characteristics are important for distinguishing these species.
Name and etymology
Genus
Geomys
Greek for earth (geo) mouse (mus)
Origin
Sources
- Palmer, Index Generum Mammalium (1904) ↗
Palmer, T. S. 1904. Index Generum Mammalium: a list of the genera and families of mammals. North American Fauna 23. Government Printing Office, Washington. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.39809
Species epithet
breviceps
Latin for short (brevis) head (ceps)
Origin
Sources
- Wikipedia: Geomys breviceps ↗
“Geomys breviceps.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baird's_pocket_gopher
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
G. breviceps occurs in a range spanning from eastern Texas and Oklahoma eastward through Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, an…
Habitat
G. breviceps prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils in a variety of habitats, including prairies, open woodlands, and agri…
Guide
Mammals of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap