The people called the gophers the inhabitants of the steppes. This is understandable: the habitat of these funny rodents is the endless steppes. The genus of ground squirrels has 38 species, of which 9 species live on the territory of the Russian Federation and bring enormous harm to agriculture.
Who are gophers?
Gophers are small mammals belonging to the order of rodents and the squirrel family. These creatures are the most numerous inhabitants of the steppes. There are 38 species of ground squirrels in the world. The most common of these are the small, yellow, speckled, large, reddish, European, long-tailed and red-cheeked ground squirrels.
What do gophers look like?
The body length of an average ground squirrel is about 25 cm, and the length of its tail is about 10 cm. The largest individuals reach a length of 40 cm, and with a tail - all 65 cm. Adults weigh from 1 kg to 1.6 kg. After hibernation, their weight varies from 600 g to 900 g.
The hind legs of these creatures are slightly longer than the front ones. The difference between gophers and other rodents lies in the shape of their ears: they are short and slightly lowered downward. Behind the cheeks of these rodents are the so-called cheek pouches.
The color of the fur of ground squirrels can be different: from green to purple. Often, their back is dotted with dark ripples and longitudinal dark stripes, like chipmunks. The sides of the gopher's body may have light vertical stripes. The color of the abdomen ranges from whitish to dark yellow. Summer fur of ground squirrels is short and coarse, and winter fur is soft and thick.
Where do gophers live?
These small rodents with an affectionate name live in the steppes of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, in the Volga steppes, in the North Caucasus. These creatures live in burrows. The depth of gopher burrows varies from 80 cm to 150 cm. It is curious that at the end of their burrow, gophers arrange a rather cozy corner, consisting of dry grass and leaves. They need this for hibernation.
What do gophers eat?
These animals, for the most part, are herbivores. Their diet includes succulent parts of steppe grasses, seeds and plant bulbs. Sometimes gophers turn into predators and begin to feed on insects: locusts, grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles. It is curious that in the dry season, these animals are able to hike 10 km in search of food.
The gopher is the enemy of man
Despite their cute appearance and funny name, these animals have long been one of the most dangerous enemies of man. The fact is that these rodents (like the rest of their relatives) cause irreparable harm to agriculture. Gophers immensely devour the ears of grain crops, make ruinous forays into forest plantations, dig up maple seeds, acorns, apricot seeds, etc.
