Variable Pocket Gopher
Encyclopedia
The Variable Pocket Gopher (Orthogeomys heterodus) is a species of rodent
in the Geomyidae family. It is endemic to Costa Rica
, usually in grasslands and tropical forests in higher altitudes up to 8,000 feet. It is threatened by habitat loss, but are sometimes kept as pets in the United States
and elsewhere.
The gopher typically has soft and dense fur colored blackish on the posterior and pale on the anterior. Its dentation features a longitudinal groove on outer face of each upper incisor
. Large specimens range in length from 12 to 19 inches in length and weigh 16 to 35 ounces.
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
in the Geomyidae family. It is endemic to Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, usually in grasslands and tropical forests in higher altitudes up to 8,000 feet. It is threatened by habitat loss, but are sometimes kept as pets in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and elsewhere.
The gopher typically has soft and dense fur colored blackish on the posterior and pale on the anterior. Its dentation features a longitudinal groove on outer face of each upper incisor
Incisor
Incisors are the first kind of tooth in heterodont mammals. They are located in the premaxilla above and mandible below.-Function:...
. Large specimens range in length from 12 to 19 inches in length and weigh 16 to 35 ounces.