drawing: http://www.planet-mammiferes.org/drupal/en/node/54 groupe=&a=21&affichage=367
eating gopher: http://www.planet-mammiferes.org/drupal/node/25?indice=Orthogeomys+cherriei regular: http://www.biofotos.org/biofotos/Detalle.aspx?Cat=2&Esp=1031 teeth: http://curbstonevalley.com/blog/?p=2800 in ground: http://www.tsra.org/photos/Smiling_Gopher_by_Allen_Vinson.jpg |
Cherrie's pocket gopherEndemic to Costa Rica, the Orthogeomys cherrie is endangered due to habitat loss, the Cherrie's Pocket Gopher is about 6 to 8 inches long with stout brown and grayish bodies. These animals are rarely seen above ground due to their unique tunneling system which allows them to move wherever they want without the dangers of predators and humans. However, they are also the cause for much habitat loss as they will plug up water holes and dig up the roots of trees. The Cherrie's Pocket Gopher is mainly found in the lowlands of Costa Rica but is also found in the forest and agricultural areas. With not many predators, these animals have become agricultural pests and many farmers and homeowners try to eradicate them with chemicals which are not only dangerous to them and the environment. The Cherrie's Pocket Gopher is far from extinct, in fact, there are too many. The gophers cause many problems for those in the agricultural business because they tunnel through the farmlands while, hence, destroying the crops and their roots.
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