Species MammalsVariable Pocket Gopher

Variable Pocket Gopher

Orthogeomys heterodus

UncommonMammal
Illustration of Variable Pocket Gopher (Orthogeomys heterodus)

The Variable Pocket Gopher is a large, dark tropical gopher of Costa Rica's highlands, found in volcanic soils of the Central Valley and adjacent mountain ranges. It is among the most commonly encountered large pocket gopher species in Costa Rica and causes significant damage to agricultural root crops. Like all pocket gophers, it is highly territorial and solitary.

Habitat
Highland volcanic soils and agricultural land of Costa Rica
Diet
Roots, tubers, bulbs, and underground plant material
How common
Uncommon

Recent Variable Pocket Gopher sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Variable Pocket Gopher? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More mammals

Abert's Squirrel
Abert's Squirrel
Sciurus aberti
Agricola's Gracile Opossum
Agricola's Gracile Opossum
Cryptonanus agricolai
Alaska Marmot
Alaska Marmot
Marmota broweri
Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear
Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear
Ursus arctos gyas
Alaskan Hare
Alaskan Hare
Lepus othus
Alaskan Mink
Alaskan Mink
Neogale vison ingens
Alfaro's Pygmy Squirrel
Alfaro's Pygmy Squirrel
Microsciurus alfari
Allen's Big-eared Bat
Allen's Big-eared Bat
Idionycteris phyllotis