The northern pocket gopher, Thomomys talpoides, was first discovered by Lewis and Clark on April 9, 1805 at the mouth of the Knife River, North Dakota. These animals are often rich brown or yellowish brown, but also grayish or closely approaching local soil color and have white markings under chin. They also weigh less than a quarter of a pound (110 grams). These rodents have a general oval or oblong shape, small round ears that do not extend past the whole head, a medium-small length tail, and digging claws.
They cannot be found in Iron County.