Some shrub and tree seedlings are eaten, and occasionally young conifer plantations are damaged. Forage underground from tunnel , on ground surface, and from tunnels in snow. Chew roots from tunnels, and may pull entire plant into tunnel. Carry food in cheek pouches to underground caches. Pocket gophers nest in burrows with deep chambers excavated in friable soils.
Individuals usually remain in the same burrow system for life.
Soil moisture and breeding activity are major factors affecting burrowing. Water needs probably met mostly from food plants. Pocket gophers require early stages of forest habitats, meadows, and grasslands with moist, friable soils. Mainly nocturnal above ground. Territories and home ranges coincide.