Soils with a high clay content, or those that are continuously wet, diffuse gases poorly and are unsuitable for gophers. Food Habits Pocket gophers feed on plants in three ways. They may go to the surface, venturing only a body length or so from their tunnel opening to feed on above-ground vegetation. They may feed on roots they encounter when digging. They frequently pull vegetation into their tunnel from below.
Pocket gophers eat forbs, grasses, shrubs, even small trees.
They are strict herbivores and any animal material in their diet appears to be accidental. Alfalfa is apparently 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 exception are when mating occurs and when the female is caring for her young.