Texas Pocket Gopher
Geomys personatus
G. personatus is variable in color, ranging from dark brown to reddish-brown or grayish. The upper incisors have two distinct grooves. Skull morphology is important for i…
How to identify
G. personatus is variable in color, ranging from dark brown to reddish-brown or grayish. The upper incisors have two distinct grooves. Skull morphology is important for identification. Total length can range from 200-270 mm.
Range
G. personatus occurs along the Texas Gulf Coast, primarily in the coastal prairies and barrier islands.
Habitat
G. personatus prefers sandy or loamy soils in coastal prairies, grasslands, and barrier islands. They are often found in areas with relatively high water tables.
Similar species
G. personatus can be confused with other Geomys species in areas where ranges may overlap. Careful examination of cranial characteristics is necessary for accurate identification.
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
personatus
Latin for possessing (-atus) a mask (persona)
Origin
Sources
- Wikipedia: Geomys personatus ↗
“Geomys personatus.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_pocket_gopher
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
G. personatus occurs along the Texas Gulf Coast, primarily in the coastal prairies and barrier islands.
Habitat
G. personatus prefers sandy or loamy soils in coastal prairies, grasslands, and barrier islands. They are often found in area…
Guide
Mammals of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap