<P> All pocket gophers create a network of tunnel systems that provide protection and a means of collecting food . They are larder hoarders, and their cheek pouches are used for transporting food back to their burrows . Gophers can collect large hoards . Unlike ground squirrels, gophers do not live in large communities and seldom find themselves above ground . Tunnel entrances can be identified by small piles of loose soil covering the opening . Burrows are in many areas where the soil is softer and easily tunneled . Gophers often visit vegetable gardens, lawns, or farms, as gophers like moist soil (see Soil biomantle). This has led to their frequent treatment as pests . </P> <P> Gophers eat plant roots, shrubs, and other vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, radishes, and any other vegetables with juice . Some species are considered agricultural pests . The resulting destruction of plant life then leaves the area a stretch of denuded soil . At the same time, the soil disturbance created by turning it over can lead to the early establishment of Ecological succession in Communities of r - selected and other Ruderal plant species . The stashing and subsequent decomposition of plant material in the gophers' larder can produce deep fertilization of the soil . </P> <P> Pocket gophers are solitary outside of the breeding season, aggressively maintaining territories that vary in size depending on the resources available . Males and females may share some burrows and nesting chambers if their territories border each other, but in general, each pocket gopher inhabits its own individual tunnel system . Although they attempt to flee when threatened, they may attack other animals, including cats and humans, and can inflict serious bites with their long, sharp teeth . </P> <P> Depending on the species and local conditions, pocket gophers may have a specific annual breeding season, or may breed repeatedly through the year . Each litter typically consists of two to five young, although this may be much higher in some species . The young are born blind and helpless, and are weaned around 40 days old . </P>

What do you call a group of gophers