The Townsend's pocket gopher is restricted to a few valleys of the northern Great Basin. Found in wet meadow habitat along the western edge of Honey Lake Valley and in alkali desert scrub habitat to the east. Probably feeds on roots, bulbs, seeds, tubers, and stems of grasses and forbs. Feeds from underground tunnels and snow tunnels on ground surface during winter. Caches food extensively in burrow.
Snow also serves as cover during winter.
A nest of dried plant parts is made in underground nest chambers. Probably obtains water from succulent vegetation . Confined to deep lacustrine and fluviatile soils of Pleistocene lake bottoms and streams. Mainly nocturnal above ground, but active throughout the day in burrow. No data found, but probably territorial, as are other Thomomys.