The lips can be closed behind the curved incisors, making it possible for the animal to gnaw dirt without getting any in its mouth. Two long, external, fur-lined pockets that extend from the facial region back to the shoulders apparently are used only in transporting food. These pouches can be turned inside out for cleaning and are pulled back in place by a special muscle. The powerful forearms are supplied with five strong digging claws, the third finger being the longest. The looseness and flexibility of the skin, and its thickness around the head and throat, may be advantageous in fighting, as pocket gophers are very pugnacious.
Size varies widely, and males are usually larger than females.
The pelage lacks underfur, and coloration ranges from black to almost white. As in the Heteromyidae, the infraorbital canal is long, narrow, and sunken within the skull for protection from muscle pressure. The opening to the canal is anterior to the zygomatic arch and lateral to the rostrum. The premolar, the largest grinding tooth, is 8 -shaped. The cheek teeth grow throughout life, and their enamel is greatly reduced.