Pouched Rat

Pouched Rat (Pseudostoma or Geomys), a genus of plump, short-tailed, hamster-like rodents, with cheek-pouches which open externally and are used as receptacles for food. One of the best-known species is P. or G. bursarius, sometimes called 'Gopher.' Like the other species it is a native of North America, and inhabits the territory east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Mississippi. It is a burrower like the mole, active in the warm weather, hibernating in the cold, sluggish above ground, but very active in its subterranean progress. The cheek-pouches are very large, and are crammed with roots, seeds, &c., but not with earth as the Indians used to maintain. Being voracious gnawers, the pouched rats do much damage to the roots of trees and crops.