Gophers | VarmintRemoval

Gophers, groundhogs, and moles are all burrowing rodents. Even though they have some physical traits and habits in common, they are distinct animals. Groundhogs are larger than gophers and moles. Other distinct differences are that gophers have visible teeth and moles have a pointed snout. Gopher vs Groundhog vs Mole GopherGroundhogMoleSpends most of its life undergroundSpends most of its life above groundSpends most of its life undergroundBelongs to the family GeomyidaeBelongs to the family SciuridaeBelongs to the family TalpidaeEats tubers, plant roots, and bulbsEats plants, flowers, and vegetables Eats earthworms, insects, and grubsLifespan of up to three yearsLifespan of up to six yearsLifespan of up to six yearsStores food in its burrow and cheek pouchesDoes not store foodStores food in its burrowFound in North America and Central AmericaFound in North AmericaFound in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and AustraliaLives in woodlands, forests, and plainsLives in woodlands and plainsLives in woodlands, grasslands, and sandy areasVisible yellow teethNo visible teethNo visible teethDark or light brown furTan or brown furGray, brown, or golden furAbout 8 inches longAbout 20 inches longAbout 7 inches long Gopher Woodchuck Mole How do you tell the difference between a mole and a gopher? Gophers tend to be larger than moles. Gophers can weigh up to 2 pounds, while moles weigh only about 4.6 ounces (0.25 pounds). There are more physical differences between these critters that help us tell which is which. Moles have a pointed snout that gophers don’t have. Moles have large paws with six fingers. Gophers have four large incisors that are visible even when their mouth is closed. Although both critters have small eyes, moles’ eyes are so small that they appear to be absent. Gophers have small ears, while moles lack external ears. Mole You can use the types of holes that moles and gophers dig to know the difference between the two pests. While moles and gophers both create burrows, their holes are different. They both make holes in the ground as entry points to their burrows. Gopher holes are about 10-20 inches in diameter. The gopher is inside its burrow if the hole is covered with loose dirt. Mole holes are typically about 2 inches in diameter. Mole mounds are cone-shaped and often referred to as molehills. Moles create surface tunnels, but gophers create extensive tunnel systems extending six feet underground. Moles spend most of their life above ground, while gophers spend most of their life underground. Therefore, you are more likely to see a mole than a gopher. Gopher How do you tell the difference between a groundhog and a gopher? The key difference between a groundhog and a gopher is their size. Groundhogs are significantly larger than gophers. Groundhogs weigh about 8 pounds, while gophers weigh about 2 pounds. Gophers have visible cheek pouches, where they get their common name of pocket gophers. These large cheek pouches give their faces a round look. Groundhogs have slender faces. Another main difference in appearance is that groundhogs have brown or black feet, but gophers have pink feet. Groundhog tails are shorter, wider, and furrier than gopher tails. Gopher tails are almost hairless. Gophers have teeth that are always visible, while groundhogs’ teeth aren’t seen when their mouths are closed. Gopher Groundhogs and gophers both create burrows, but the types of burrow systems they create have some differences. Groundhog holes are usually about 7 inches in diameter. Gopher holes are generally about 20 inches in diameter. Mounds of dirt surround both gopher holes and groundhog holes. However, the piles of dirt around gopher holes are larger than the piles around groundhog holes. The dirt piles around groundhog holes are usually crescent-shaped. Unlike gophers, groundhogs mostly live above ground, so they are more common to see than gophers.