Thomomys fossil map
Where fossils of Thomomys have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 0 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 0 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 12.5 million years ago to the present (Serravallian to Holocene) |
| Periods | Neogene, Quaternary |
| Family | Geomyidae |
| Named by | Wied-Neuwied 1839 |
| Fossil records | 340 occurrences at 72 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States, Canada |
| Rock formations | txn:41651, "unnamed sandstone", San Timoteo, Pauba, Palm Spring, Dove Spring |
About Thomomys
The smooth-toothed pocket gophers, genus Thomomys, are so called because they are among the only pocket gophers without grooves on their incisors. They are also called the western pocket gophers because they are distributed in western North America. They are considered distinct enough from other pocket gophers to be recognized as a separate subfamily or tribe.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Smooth-toothed pocket gopher (revision 1366147947), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q1094704.
