Geomyidae+1st+block

​Geomyidae Dillon Bienusa

The characteristics of the Myomorpha suborder are:

Contains 1337 different rodent species (mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, shrews), nearly a quarter of all mammals, grouped by the structure of the jaw and molar teeth, adept at gnawing, found worldwide, in all different types of habitats, nocturnal seed eaters

The characteristics of Geomyidae are:

Bodies are modified for burrowing underground, feet are broad, toes are tipped with enlarged claws, Feet are very strong, the cheeks extends from side of the mouth to the shoulders, used for transporting food, most gophers are large, have massive incisors,

Map showing the range of all the Geomyidae in Minnesota



Classification! Kingdom - Animalia Class - Chordata Order - Rodentia Family - Geomyidae

Species in the family:

23-35 cm Live in central/SW/SE Minnesota underground in tunnels They are Herbivores (eat roots, bulbs rhizomes) Light brown/gray, short legs, short naked tail, small round ears, tiny eyes Forepaw 2.3cm and hind paw just smaller, spends most of its time underground lifespan of 2-5 years specialized cheek pouches give its name Digs with powerful legs, lips close behind incisor teeth to keep dirt out, adapted well to human activity, takes up in open grassy yards.

Northern Pocket Gopher

20.5-32.5 cm lives in NW Minnesota underground in tunnels They are also Herbivores The fur color is usually yellowish brown, also short naked tail, small eyes Forepaw and hind paw are the same as the Plains Pocket Gopher, rarely seen above ground, lives most it's life underground lifespan of 2-5 years must gnaw on hard objects to keep the teeth sharp and prevent from becoming useless, they have vibrissae on the wrists and tip of tail, can be destructive to gardens and fields because of what they eat

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Geomyidae.html http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Geomyidae/ The mammals book http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Myomorpha http://www.eol.org/pages/8692