What’s the Difference Between a Gopher and a Mole? Learn about their appearances, habits, and ecological impact
What’s the Difference Between a Gopher and a Mole?
The main differences between gophers and moles are their physical characteristics, size, mound shapes, digging behaviors, diet, and types of damage they cause.
Gophers have large cheek pouches, short ears, visible eyes, and long protruding incisors, while moles lack external ears and have small eyes.
Gophers are generally larger, weighing between a half-pound to two pounds and growing up to 14 inches in length, whereas moles typically weigh between 2.5 and 5 ounces and are slightly over 6 inches long.
Gopher mounds are crescent, fan, or horse-shoe shaped, measuring 10 to 20 inches in diameter, while mole mounds are volcano-shaped and around 2 inches in diameter.
Gophers create raised ridges on the ground, while moles dig runways.
Gophers are omnivorous, feeding on vegetation and insects, while moles are mostly carnivorous, relying on earthworms and grubs.
Above ground, gophers cause more damage by uprooting flower beds and gardens, while moles disturb grass and plant roots, stunting growth.
Controlling both gophers and moles can be challenging and costly, and it is recommended to seek assistance from wildlife removal professionals for infestations.
Key Points:
- Gophers have large cheek pouches, short ears, visible eyes, and long incisors, while moles lack external ears and have small eyes.
- Gophers are larger, weighing between a half-pound to two pounds and growing up to 14 inches in length, whereas moles typically weigh between 2.5 and 5 ounces and are slightly over 6 inches long.
- Gopher mounds are crescent, fan, or horse-shoe shaped, measuring 10 to 20 inches in diameter, while mole mounds are volcano-shaped and around 2 inches in diameter.
- Gophers create raised ridges on the ground, while moles dig runways.
- Gophers are omnivorous, feeding on vegetation and insects, while moles are mostly carnivorous, relying on earthworms and grubs.
- Gophers cause more above-ground damage by uprooting flower beds and gardens, while moles disturb grass and plant roots, stunting growth.
Did You Know?
1. Despite their similar appearance, one of the main differences between a gopher and a mole lies in their diet. Gophers are herbivores, primarily feeding on plants and roots, while moles are carnivores, dining on insects, worms, and small invertebrates.
2. Did you know that a gopher’s front teeth continue to grow throughout its life? In order to prevent their teeth from becoming too long, gophers actively gnaw on tough plant matter, helping to keep their teeth at a comfortable length.
3. When it comes to burrowing, moles are true engineering marvels. These underground dwellers possess specialized digging claws on their front paws, allowing them to rapidly navigate through soil at an astonishing speed of up to 18 feet per hour.
4. While gophers are known for their elaborate underground burrow systems, moles take it to another level. Moles create complex networks of tunnels, including “highways” for efficient travel and feeding passages to capture their prey without needing to surface.
5. Both gophers and moles are experts at creating tunnels, but their tunneling styles differ. Gophers create mounds of loose dirt when they dig, pushing it out from their tunnels to form distinctive crescent-shaped mounds. On the other hand, moles push the dirt up to the surface as they tunnel, resulting in rounded molehills.
Physical Differences Between Gophers And Moles
Gophers and moles exhibit distinct physical characteristics that differentiate them from each other. Gophers, for instance, possess large cheek pouches, short ears, visible eyes, and long incisors that extend beyond their mouth. These physical attributes serve as adaptations enabling them to procure and store significant quantities of food in their cheeks and construct intricate networks of tunnels.
Moles, in contrast, lack external ears and have minute eyes. This is because they rely primarily on their sense of touch rather than sight or hearing. Their lack of external ears aids in navigating the tunnels and prevents dirt and debris from entering their ears.
Size And Appearance Of Gophers Versus Moles
When it comes to size, gophers can be larger than moles. Some gophers can weigh between a half-pound to two pounds and reach lengths of up to 14 inches. In contrast, moles typically weigh between 2.5 and 5 ounces and are just over 6 inches in length. This size difference gives gophers a more noticeable presence above ground.
In terms of appearance, gophers have a stockier build with a broader head and body. Their fur can vary in color, ranging from brown to gray to black. Moles, on the other hand, have a slender body and a pointed snout. Their fur is usually dark brown or black.
Differences In Mound Formation
Both gophers and moles create distinct mounds in the soil, but their mound formations differ significantly. Gopher mounds have crescent, fan, or horseshoe shapes and are typically between 10 to 20 inches in diameter. These mounds are created when gophers push soil out of their tunnels and can be seen above ground.
Mole mounds, on the other hand, have a volcano shape with a raised circular ridge surrounding a central hole. These mounds are much smaller, typically only about 2 inches in diameter. Unlike gopher mounds, mole mounds are created as moles dig their underground tunnels.
Dietary Variations: Gophers Versus Moles
Gophers and moles have different dietary preferences.
- Gophers are omnivorous, feeding on both vegetation and insects. They have strong incisors that allow them to gnaw at plant roots, bulbs, and tubers, causing damage to gardens and flower beds. They also feed on insects, grubs, and other small animals they encounter in their tunnels.
- In contrast, moles are predominantly carnivorous. They rely heavily on earthworms and grubs as their primary food source. Moles have a high metabolic rate, and their constant search for food can disturb grass and plant roots, leading to stunted growth.
Damages Caused By Gophers And Moles
Both gophers and moles can cause significant damage to landscapes and underground infrastructure. Gophers are known for their ability to create up to 200 mounds in a single year. These mounds disrupt the appearance of lawns and gardens, uprooting plants and causing soil erosion. Additionally, their voracious appetite for plant roots can lead to the destruction of flower beds and damage to underground cables and pipes.
Moles, although smaller in size, can also cause harm. Their tunneling activities can disrupt the root systems of plants, affecting their growth and causing unsightly ridges on lawns. Furthermore, their burrows can undermine the stability of structures such as walkways, patios, and even foundations.
Controlling gophers and moles can be a challenging and time-consuming task. Homeowners are advised to seek the assistance of wildlife removal professionals who have the expertise and tools necessary to deal with these infestations effectively. It is essential to address these issues promptly to prevent further damage to both above-ground aesthetics and underground infrastructure.
In summary, both gophers and moles are burrowing creatures that can cause damage, but they differ in terms of physical appearance, size, mound formation, dietary preferences, and the extent of their ecological impact. Understanding these differences is important in order to develop effective strategies to manage and mitigate the damages caused by these underground dwellers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gopher and mole?
While both gophers and moles are burrowing animals, they have distinct physical characteristics that differentiate them. Gophers have small eyes and ears, which they rely on to navigate through their intricate tunnel systems. Their whiskers and sparsely-haired tails also aid in their underground movements. On the other hand, moles are small shrew-like mammals that measure around 6-8 inches in length. They possess pointed snouts, paddle-like forefeet, and long claws that assist them in digging tunnels.
One can generally distinguish between gophers and moles by observing their appearances and adaptations. Gophers sport a set of small eyes and ears, while moles possess distinct features such as their pointed snouts and paddle-like forefeet. These differences are essential for their tunneling abilities and survival in their respective environments.
Are moles and gophers related?
Although moles and gophers might look alike and share a love for tunneling, they actually belong to different orders. Gophers, being true rodents, belong to the order Rodentia, while moles fall under the order Eulipotyphla. Despite their divergent classification, both species have independently evolved unique adaptations for their subterranean lifestyles. So while they may be distant relatives in the grand scheme of the animal kingdom, their familial connection lies far beyond the realm of taxonomy.
What is the difference between mole and gopher damage?
While both moles and gophers can cause damage, the distinction lies in the type of damage they inflict. Mole damage primarily affects the appearance of your yard, as they create intricate tunnel systems just beneath the surface, leaving behind visible tunnel lines and mounds of soil. Conversely, gopher damage is more destructive to plants and crops as they feed on the roots, which can lead to stunted growth or even death of the vegetation. Understanding their dietary preferences and resulting behaviors allows you to identify the specific type of damage and determine an effective course of action to address the issue.
Do gophers have rabies?
No, gophers do not have rabies. Unlike some other small animals such as mice, rats, or moles, gophers are not known to carry rabies. In fact, chipmunks, prairie dogs, squirrels, and rabbits also fall within the group of small animals that do not carry rabies. Rabies is not a concern when it comes to these particular animals, ensuring a safer interaction with them in their natural habitat.