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You might be wondering what kind of animal is poke hole in your yard , or perhaps you even trip up a glimpse of the animate being but are n’t certain whether it ’s a goffer or a Marmota monax . This is understandable , since these two mintage are often confused with one another .
There are distinct difference between the two animals . Understanding gopher vs. groundhog differences can help you by rights key the creature in your yard . Then , if you choose , you may devise a humane plan toget rid of the groundhogor pocket gopher on your place .
Photo: Photography by Alexandra Rudge and dbrskinner via Getty Images.
What is a gopher?
Gophers are chubby , digging gnawer that belong to to the familyGeomyidae;many are in the genusGeomysor the genusThomomys . There about 41 species endemic to North and Central America . In the United States , gophers , most often forebode scoop gophers , are found in the central plain from Canada south to Texas and Louisiana , and in the Southwest . Pocket goffer are so name because they have pelt - lined pocket or “ pockets ” in their cheeks in which the herbivores ecstasy food .
What is a groundhog?
The groundhog , Marmota monax , is a stout rodent related to squirrel and marmots . It has short ear and a short fundament . Its front foot have long , curved claw that are undecomposed for dig the complex burrow systems it inhabit . Native to North America , woodchuck are found throughout lowland region of the Eastern U.S. , across much of Canada , and in Alaska .
Groundhog vs. Woodchuck
“ Woodchuck ” is just a nickname for the groundhog ; there is no freestanding specie of animal called woodchuck . The alternate name is thought to have derived from the languages of North American autochthonous peoples . So if you ’re marvel “ What does a Marmota monax looking at like?”—it look just like a groundhog .
The groundhog is also sometimes send for a “ whistle grunter ” after the high up - pitched call it sends out .
Differences Between Gophers and Groundhogs
Although there are peck of Gopherus polypemus vs. groundhog differences in show and habits , one law of similarity is that both fauna can be aggressive if threatened . Gophers are more testy than groundhogs , but both will whip out if cornered . If you need to be free of them , it ’s best tocall in the pro .
1. Groundhogs and gophers are in different animal families.
The first key difference between a gopher and a groundhog tie in to their species . Groundhogs belong to the Sciuridae family unit , rodent that includechipmunks ( another pest ) , prairie dogs , and squirrels . Gophers , on the other hand , are phallus of the Geomyidae family . sac mice , kangaroo computer mouse , and kangaroo crumb are a few member of this class of burrowing rodents .
2. They’re sized differently.
When you ’re trying to distinguish between a gopher ( fancy above ) and a groundhog , one of the easiest ways is to look at the sizing of the animal . “ Size is believably the easiest way to distinguish between the two , ” say Aaron Carlson , District Manager forTrutech Wildlife Servicein Southwest Florida . “ Groundhogs can be the size of a humble dog , where pocket gopher are more similar in size to a rat . ”
3. They can be distinguished by their tails and feet.
Groundhogs have thick , furred tail that are quite shaggy-haired , whereas the tail of a gopher tortoise is lean and often hairless , much like the poop of a rat . A groundhog ’s foundation are dark brown or black-market — similar to the coloring of their pelt . Gophers ’ feet , on the other hand , are small , thinner , and pink .
4. Gophers have large, protruding teeth.
Another key difference between gophers and Marmota monax has to do with their teeth . A spermophile ’s teeth ( pictured above ) are larger and protrude from their mouth , whether the backtalk is opened or closed . The tooth often come along yellowed or wakeful Robert Brown in color , rather than white . The teeth of a groundhog , meanwhile , remain hidden in the mouthpiece when closed . If you ’re able to get a glimpse of a groundhog ’s tooth , they ’ll be much whiter than those of a gopher .
Despite their differences , both gophers and groundhog haverodent teeth . This means their incisors , or front tooth , continue to grow throughout their living . Both animals must gnaw on thing to wear down their tooth and prevent them from grow too long .
5.One lives above ground; one lives below.
Another authoritative gopher vs. groundhog departure relate to where each animal can normally be found . Groundhogs ( photo , above ) drop most of their biography above the earth , though they prod small tunnel or dens for sleeping or get shelter from the constituent . Both animate being “ burrow , but gophers run to have a more complex burrow arrangement , ” says Carlson , who has more than a decade of gnawer and pest control experience .
pouched rat ’ complex tunnels agitate the ground , leaving many homeowners wonderinghow to get disembarrass of gophers , but groundhogs are not absolve of all guiltiness . “ The pocket gophers maydisrupt the yardmore with their extensive burrow organization , but both can destroy garden fruit / vegetable , shrubbery , and other vegetation , ” say Carlson .
There is some overlap in Gopherus polypemus and Marmota monax habitat , though they do not live in all of the same places . Furthermore , “ Groundhogs can live in a family whole but are n’t colony animals , ” as gophers are , Carlson says .
Photo: Daniel A. Leifheit via Getty Images
6. They reproduce at different rates.
Gopherus polypemus are much more prolific and may have up to three litters each year , if there is sufficient water in the area . Otherwise , they will have just one litter per year . They have a pregnancy geological period of about 3 week and give nascency to a bedding of three to six pups . The puppy have care from their mother for 3 to 8 weeks , then they jab their own burrow . The lifespan of a pouched rat is about 3 to about 5 years .
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