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Jul 13, 2022 · Learn the key differences between gophers and groundhogs in size, appearance, behavior, and diet. Find out how to identify and get rid of these burrowing rodents in your lawn and garden.
- Overview
- Size
- Tail
- Feet
- Teeth
- Habitat
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- Mounds
- Damage
Find out how size, teeth, and diet differ between gophers and groundhogs
It’s brown, furry, and loves to dig…but wait, that could be a gopher or a groundhog! They might seem like versions of the same animal, but there are pretty big differences between gophers and groundhogs. In this article, we’ll go over the key physical and behavioral differences between gophers and groundhogs to help you tell them apart. And if you’ve been wondering how woodchucks come into the mix, you’re off the hook–woodchuck is just a different name for groundhog. Then, if you're dealing with one of these animals building mounds in your yard, we’ll go over how to remove them.
Groundhogs are larger and stockier than gophers and have a more furry, bushy tail.
Gophers have larger front teeth that remain exposed even when their mouths are closed, unlike groundhogs.
Gophers rarely leave their tunnels and like to munch on plant roots, while groundhogs roam above ground for leafy plants.
Gophers create many distinctive, crescent-shaped mounds while groundhogs tend to burrow under sheds and paths.
Gophers tend to be smaller and thinner compared to groundhogs.
In general, gophers range from about 5 to 14 inches (12-35 cm) long.
On the other hand, groundhogs are typically stockier and wider than gophers. They are also larger, ranging from about 17 to 32 inches (43-81 cm) long.
While gophers’ bodies are slimmer than groundhogs’, they have round, protruding cheek pouches on their faces, unlike groundhogs.
Groundhogs have bushier, hairier tails than gophers.
Another easy way to tell the difference between groundhogs and gophers is to look at their tails! Groundhogs have bushy tails like squirrels.
Gophers have pink feet while groundhogs’ feet are dark brown or black.
This might be a more subtle difference, but it can be a good way to differentiate these 2 rodents if you can get a closer look. The underside of a gopher’s feet are a soft pink, while a groundhog’s are brown or black.
Gophers have large teeth that are almost always visible.
Both gophers and groundhogs are rodents that have large front teeth for digging and burrowing. However, a gopher’s front teeth are typically larger and remain visible even when their mouth is closed.
Groundhogs live at forest edges while gophers like areas with sandy soil.
Most gophers prefer to build their burrows and tunnels in the grasslands of the Great Plains.
On the other hand, groundhogs like to burrow at the edges of forests next to open lands like meadows, fields, and farms.
Despite their habitat preferences, both gophers and groundhogs are commonly found throughout North America.
While both herbivores, gophers prefer roots while groundhogs like leaves.
Looking for where damage is on your plants is a great way to tell whether you’re dealing with a gopher or groundhog. Gophers really like eating plants’ roots and stems, which they usually find while they’re underground tunneling. Groundhogs typically only eat the leaves and flowers off plants, though they also love fruit.
Adding a border fence around your plants can deter gophers and groundhogs. Use a wire fencing and insert it about 2 feet (60 cm) deep into the ground around your garden.
Then, ensure that the fencing extends about 3 feet (91 cm) high above the ground.
Gophers typically spend more time in their burrows than groundhogs.
Gophers prefer to stay in their tunnels, poking their heads out of their mounds every once in a while. You’re less likely to actually see them, while groundhogs tend to stray from their burrows and walk around above ground.
A gopher’s mound is typically more noticeable than a groundhog’s.
You’ll know that you’re dealing with a gopher from their distinctive mounds. They dig about 1 to 3 crescent-shaped mounds per day!
Gophers make unsightly mounds while groundhogs damage structures.
Both gophers and groundhogs feast on and damage gardens. However, gophers also leave behind numerous unsightly mounds as they tunnel.
A groundhog’s damage usually stems from their burrowing. They’re notorious for burrowing under sheds, porches, and paths which can cause structural damage.
The best way to
is to set a trap in their tunnel. Find the gopher’s main burrow by inserting a
into a fresh mound. Poke the probe around until you feel the soil give away. Then, use a shovel to dig into the tunnel and insert the
Jan 27, 2022 · Learn the differences between gophers, groundhogs, and woodchucks, three types of burrowing rodents found in North America. Find out the origin of each word and why they are sometimes used interchangeably.
Adult groundhogs are noticeably larger than gophers, and the tail of the groundhog is noticeably longer in proportion to its own body than the tail of the gopher. The colour of their coats, however, is similar. Aside from these, the most obvious differences, there are more things between gophers and groundhogs that need to be cleared up.
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Learn six ways to tell the difference between gophers and groundhogs, two burrowing rodents that are similar but not the same. Find out how to identify their size, color, shape, diet, location and behavior based on clues such as their feet, tails, teeth and behavior.
Sep 18, 2023 · Learn how to tell the difference between groundhogs and gophers based on their size, species, appearance, weight and habits. Find out the main differences between these two common household pests, such as their basic features, burrowing preferences and life spans.
Feb 1, 2023 · Gophers and groundhogs are both woodland rodents, but they belong to different families and have different habits. Gophers are members of the Geomyidae, while groundhogs are members of the Sciuridae. Gophers have hairless tails, protruding teeth, and fur-lined cheeks, while groundhogs have fur-lined cheeks and hibernate in winter.
