Botta’s Pocket Gopher specimens

No, this isn’t a collection of antique corn dogs – it’s a scientifically valuable record of regional biodiversity. These are Botta’s Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) specimens in the Vertebrate Zoology Collections at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. To the consternation of many farmers and gardeners, gophers seem particularly abundant in the region right now, probably in response to ample rain producing the plant foods they rely on. Gophers do more than just eat the roots of your favorite plants.

The Museum’s newest curator, Curator of Mammalogy Ally Coconis, PhD, wants you to know that gophers provide a number of valuable services, as well. They may help speed up post-fire recovery by aerating the soil and spreading fungal spores that help resurgent plants acquire nutrients and water. Gophers are also great food sources for small to medium-sized carnivores. 

Visit Mammal Hall and Bird Hall at the Museum and see if you can spot all the rodents depicted as prey.