Pocket Gophers and Their Control Pocket gophers are responsible for a variety of damage to Nebraska crops and cropland. This NebGuide discusses the problems and offers suggestions for controlling the damage. Controlling Damage Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents that live underground almost all the time. They are so named because of their large external fur-lined cheek pouches, one on either side of the head. Plains pocket gopher.
Gophers are sandy brown to dark chocolate brown.
The color of their fur generally matches the color of the soil where they are present. Gophers in western Nebraska are typically smaller. Gopher Facts Gophers are well-suited for life underground. They have small eyes, small external ears, powerful forequarters, and long claws on their forefeet. The tail is short in relation to the body, and is sparsely haired.