Distribution and Habitat Characteristics of the Ozark Pocket Gopher, Geomys bursarius ozarkensis

Monica R. Reusche^1,*, Ronald L. Johnson¹, and Virginie Rolland¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 24, Issue 1 (2025): 24–36

First published early online: 8 February 2025

Abstract
Geomys bursarius ozarkensis (Ozark Pocket Gopher) occurs in well-draining sandy soils of stream deposits in prairies of a single county of the Ozark Highland region in Arkansas. Our objective was to update the distribution of this geographically restricted subspecies and further characterize its habitat. Using remote sensing, we found that Ozark Pocket Gophers remain most prevalent in sandy soils with open, grassy vegetation. Using vehicle surveys, satellite imagery, and communication with landowners, we identified 46 previously documented and 91 additional occupied sites. Overall, the areal range in 2021–2024 was 34% greater than in 2008. The expansion in the Ozark Pocket Gopher’s range may be from increased survey effort, but other factors (e.g., land development) may have also impacted the species’ distribution.

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