Orthogeomys Skull measures 2.9 inches. Orthogeomys Skull is museum quality polyurethane cast. Genus of the Giant Pocket Gopher
Orthogeomys 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.
The bodies of the gophers are covered with sensitive vibrissae. Individual head and body measurements range from 225 mm to 285 mm and tail measurements range from 85mm to 135 mm.
There are two long, external, fur-lined pockets that extend from the facial region of the Orthogeomys or Giant Pocket Gopher to their shoulders and are used for the transport of food.
The pouches can be turned inside-out for cleaning and pulled right side in with a specialized muscle.
Orthogeomys or Giant Pocket Gopher have massive, angular, flat skulls with wide zygomatic arches; excellent modifications for their fossorial life.
They have a total of 20 hypsodont teeth with greatly reduced enamel. Their dental formula is 1/1, 0/0, 1/1, 3/3.
Their dumbbell shaped premolars are the largest grinding teeth. Their upper incisors each have one center groove, a feature that distinguishes them from other gophers in the family Geomyidae.
Their forearms are specialized for digging as are their five robust claws. The flexibility and thickness of the skin around their heads and throats of the gophers is thought to be advantageous for fighting.
