- Pocket Gophers are built for life underground and have several key features to aid their tunneling
- Their bodies are stocky with powerful forequarters, large-clawed front paws, and small ears and eyes
- Their lips can close behind their large front incisor teeth to prevent soil from entering their mouth while they chew through tough roots or dirt
- Their fur is short and fine, so it doesn't get matted or cake with wet soil
- Their sparsely-haired tail helps them navigate when running backward through tunnels
- Their fur color often matches the local soil, from pale gray or white to nearly black
- The species in southern Arizona is about 6 inches in length
- They often serve as breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner for gopher snakes