Thomomys bottae, “Botta’s Pocket Gophers” are prolific diggers, each individual may rototill over 2 tons of earth a year in their work of tunneling through soil foraging for food and creating burrows. Not only are gophers an important food source for many predators, they also are providing underground habitat for many small creatures to find safety from sun and predators above ground. When the rains return, the gopher tunnels help to infiltrate water and the newly turned soils are ready for seeds, like a newly turned garden bed. (Click image for larger versions)
