leopard spermophile
(gcide) | Gopher \Go"pher\, n. [F. gaufre waffle, honeycomb. See
Gauffer.] (Zool.)
1. One of several North American burrowing rodents of the
genera Geomys and Thomomys, of the family
Geomyid[ae]; -- called also pocket gopher and {pouched
rat}. See Pocket gopher, and Tucan.
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Note: The name was originally given by French settlers to
many burrowing rodents, from their honeycombing the
earth.
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2. One of several western American species of the genus
Spermophilus, of the family Sciurid[ae]; as, the gray
gopher (Spermophilus Franklini) and the striped gopher
(S. tridecemlineatus); -- called also {striped prairie
squirrel}, leopard marmot, and leopard spermophile.
See Spermophile.
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3. A large land tortoise (Testudo Carilina) of the Southern
United States, which makes extensive burrows.
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4. A large burrowing snake (Spilotes Couperi) of the
Southern United States.
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Gopher drift (Mining), an irregular prospecting drift,
following or seeking the ore without regard to regular
grade or section. --Raymond.
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