Gophers

Gophers are burrowing rodents known for their extensive tunnel systems underground. They have stout bodies, short limbs, and cheek pouches for storing food. Gophers primarily feed on roots, tubers, and plants, and their tunnels can cause damage to agricultural fields, gardens, and lawns. They are solitary and territorial, with each gopher maintaining its own network of underground passages. While sometimes viewed as pests due to their agricultural impact, they also play a role in soil aeration and ecosystem health by mixing and conditioning the soil through their digging activities.