spermophilus franklini

1 definition found

spermophilus franklini - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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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