Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Olympic pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama ssp. melanops)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Geomyidae

Listing Status:   

General Information

They have short, strong legs, and small ears and eyes. Their lips can be closed behind their front incisors, which the gophers use for burrowing. Their soft, loose pelts enable them to move backwards through their tunnels as easily as they move forwards. Each pocket gopher also has two, fur-lined check pouches extending from the lower portion of its face to its shoulders. These pouches are used to transport food, and can be turned completely inside out.

Map of Species occurrence

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Map Image Map of Species occurrence Map of Species occurrence

This map represents our best available information about where a species is currently known to or or is believed to occur; however, it should NOT be used as an official species list for Section 7 Consultation purposes. To obtain an official species list for this purpose, please visit the Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) System (click here: http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac)



  • States/US Territories in which the Olympic pocket gopher is known to or is believed to occur:  Washington
  • US Counties in which the Olympic pocket gopher is known to or is believed to occur:  View All
Current Listing Status Summary
Status Date Listed Lead Region Where Listed
Pacific Region (Region 1)

» Candidate Information

Current Candidate Status

Listing Priority: 3
Magnitude: High
Immediacy: Imminent
Taxonomy: Subspecies/population
Species Assessment: Species Assessment Form for the Thomomys mazama ssp. melanops -- 221Kb
Candidate Notice of Review Documents (Showing 5 of 11: view all)
Date Citation Page Title
11/21/2012 77 FR 69993 70060 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
10/26/2011 76 FR 66370 66439 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
11/10/2010 75 FR 69222 69294 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule
11/09/2009 74 FR 57804 57878 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
12/10/2008 73 FR 75176 75244 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 12: view all)
Date Citation Page Title
12/11/2012 77 FR 73769 73825 Listing Four Subspecies of Mazama Pocket Gopher and Designation of Critical Habitat: Proposed rule.
11/21/2012 77 FR 69993 70060 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
10/26/2011 76 FR 66370 66439 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
11/10/2010 75 FR 69222 69294 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule
11/09/2009 74 FR 57804 57878 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions

» Action Plans

Action Plans (Showing 1 of 1)
Date Title
Mazama pocket gopher (9 subspecies) action plan

» Conservation Plans

No conservation plans have been created for Olympic pocket gopher

» Petitions

Most Recent Petition Findings (Showing 2 of 2)
Date Citation Page Title Finding
11/21/2012 77 FR 69993 70060 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
  • Notice 12 month petition finding, Warranted but precluded
  • Notice CNOR
    • 10/26/2011 76 FR 66370 66439 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
  • Notice 12 month petition finding, Warranted but precluded
  • Notice CNOR

    • » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: June 17, 2013