In the people of gophers nicknamed inhabitants of steppes. It also is clear: an area of dwelling of these amusing rodents – boundless steppes. The genus of gophers contains 38 types, from them 9 types live in the territory of the Russian Federation and do huge harm to agriculture.
Who such gophers?
Gophers are the small mammals belonging to group of rodents and to family squirrel. These creations are the most numerous inhabitants of steppes. In the world there are 38 species of gophers. The most widespread of them are small, yellow, speckled, big, reddish, European, long-tailed and red-cheeked gophers.
How do gophers look?
Length of a body of an average gopher is about 25 cm, and length of his tail about 10 cm. The largest individuals reach in length of 40 cm, and with a tail – all 65 cm. Adult individuals from 1 kg to 1.6 kg weigh. After hibernation their weight varies ranging from 600 g up to 900 g.
Back pads at these creations are a little longer than lobbies. The difference of gophers from other rodents is in the form of their ears: they short and a little lowered from top to bottom. Behind cheeks at these rodents so-called zashchechny bags are located. Color of hair of gophers can be a miscellaneous: from green to purple. Quite often their back is covered with dark ripples and longitudinal dark strips, as at chipmunks. Sides of a trunk of a gopher can have light vertical strips. Color of a paunch varies from whitish to dark yellow. Summer fur at gophers short and rough, and winter – soft and dense.
Where do gophers live?
These little rodents with the tender name live in steppes of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, in the Volga steppes, in the North Caucasus. These creations live in burrows. Depth of suslichy holes varies from 80 cm to 150 cm. It is curious that at the end of the hole the gophers equip quite cozy corner consisting of a dry grass and leaves. It is necessary for them for hibernation.
What do gophers eat?
These small animals, mostly, are herbivorous beings. Juicy parts of steppe herbs, seeds and bulbs of plants enter a diet of their food. Sometimes gophers turn in predators and begin to eat insects: locust, grasshoppers, caterpillars, bugs. It is curious that during the droughty period these small animals in search of food are capable to make campaigns 10 km long.
Gopher – the enemy of the person!
Despite the lovely appearance and the amusing name, these animals long since are one of the most dangerous enemies of the person. The fact is that these rodents (as well as their other relatives) do irreparable harm to agriculture. Gophers immensely devour ears of grain crops, make ruinous attacks on forest plantations, dig out maple seeds, acorns, seeds of apricots, etc.