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Orthogeomys grandis Skull measures 2.9 inches. Orthogeomys grandis Skull is museum quality polyurethane cast. Binomial name of Giant Pocket Gopher
Orthogeomys grandis or Giant Pocket Gopher is the largest species of pocket gophers in the family Geomyidae.
The animals are uniformly reddish brown to black in color with pale, sparsely furred undersides.
Orthogeomys grandis is a polygamous species with around four females to each male. Otherwise solitary, pocket gophers become much more social during the reproductive period.
Because it is thought that O. grandis mates year round, it can be inferred that, in general, individuals of this species are more tolerant of each other than other members in the genus and family.
As a result of this tendency, it is suggested that this species is also less territorial than other closely related species. Little is known about how Orthogeomys grandis raises its young.
Orthogeomys grandis is rarely seen above the surface and as a result its behavior is poorly studied. It is thought, however, that the milder climatic zone in which the species lives allows the gophers to reproduce nearly year round.
Most species of pocket gophers reach sexual maturity at about one year, though Orthogeomys grandis is thought to reproduce at as early as three months.
The specific gestation period is unknown though is thought to be relatively short compared to those of similar species, which average about 20 days.
Females have at least one litter per year and typically have two young per birth but may have more.
Newborn pocket gophers in the genus are underdeveloped and weight about 0.2 oz. Their teeth and eyes are not fully formed at birth.
Species in the genus wean their young after about 40 days and the young generally leave their parents lodge after about 60 days.
Young are born underdeveloped and therefore probably rely extensively on one or both parents for the first 20 days or so until their eyes and ears open, like other species in the genus.
