Predation of a Southeastern Pocket Gopher (Geomys pinetis) by a Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

Jenna Myers^1,*, J.T. Pynne², Emily Rushton², Kristina Johannsen², Steven Castleberry¹, and Mike Conner³

¹Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.²Wildlife Resource Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle, GA 30025.³Computational Biology Institute, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052. ⁴The Jones Center at Ichauway, Newton, GA 39870. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 25, Issue 1 (2026): N5–N9

First published early online: 13 February 2026

Abstract
Aboveground predation of Geomys pinetis (Southeastern Pocket Gopher) is rarely observed. Known predators include raptors, snakes, and mesocarnivores, although most evidence supporting predation comes from dietary analysis. We present photo-documentation of likely predation of a Southeastern Pocket Gopher by Lynx rufus (Bobcat). Our observation contributes to the understanding of predation risks faced by pocket gophers and identifies a rarely documented food source used by Bobcats.

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