Hibernation sites were always within pocket gopher burrow systems. The skull of the camas pocket gopher is sturdily proportioned. The total area occupied by the camas pocket gopher is less than . There is little data on the longevity and mortality of the camas pocket gopher. Varying onset times and duration of the camas pocket gopher breeding season have been reported. They are known to use the tunnel networks of the Camas pocket gopher. The maximum lifespan for the pocket gopher is about five years. Aboveground snakes quickly move into pocket gopher burrows as flames come near. Delineating the Effects of the Burrowing Pocket Gopher on the Distribution of Archaeological Materials. Like many mammals, the penis of the camas pocket gopher contains a bone, the baculum. The plains pocket gopher lives throughout the Great Plains. The taxonomy of the camas pocket gopher and its genus, "Thomomys", have a convoluted history. They frequently use abandoned pocket gopher and ground squirrel burrows as hibernacula. It is also known in some sources as valley pocket gopher, particularly in California. The average adult Botta's pocket gopher has a body temperature of .