They are strict herbivores, and any animal material in their diet appears to be accidental. Alfalfa apparently is one of the most nutritious foods for pocket gophers. Just as cheek pouches are used to identify pocket gophers, their fan-shaped soil mounds are characteristic evidence of their presence. Typically, there is only one gopher per burrow system. Obvious exceptions are when mating occurs and when the female is caring for her young.
Pocket gophers use their claws and teeth while digging.
Soil, rocks, and other items loosened by digging are kicked away from the digging area with their hind feet. Then the gopher turns over, making sort of a somersault in its burrow, and uses its forefeet and chest to push the soil out of its burrow. Burrow systems consist of a main burrow, generally 4 to 18 inches below and parallel to the ground surface, with a variable number of lateral burrows off the main. These laterals end at the surface with a soil mound or, sometimes, with only a soil plug. There are also deeper branches off the main burrow, which are used as nests and food caches.