The breeding season also varies, but births typically occur from March through June. The gestation period is 18 to 19 days. Densities reported for various pocket gophers are highly variable. Densities of 6 to 8 per acre are considered high density. Average life span of gophers appears to change inversely with population density.
Many predators eat pocket gophers.
These predators include weasels, coyotes, and several snakes including bull, and rattlesnakes. Gophers damage trees by stem girdling and clipping, root pruning and possibly root exposure caused by burrowing. Gopher mounds dull and plug the sickle bars used in harvesting hay or alfalfa, and soil brought to the surface as mounds is more likely to erode. In irrigated areas, gopher tunnels can divert water, causing loss of surface irrigation water. Gopher tunnels in ditch banks and earthen banks can hasten soil erosion and water loss.