When you gaze out at your beautifully kept garden and notice a series of unsightly mounds and ridges disrupting the landscape, you might wonder who the culprits are. Enter the world of gophers and moles, two burrowing animals often mistaken for each other due to their subterranean lifestyles. While they might both be a nuisance to your yard, understanding their differences is key to effective management. Gophers and moles belong to different families in the animal kingdom and have distinct behaviors and physical characteristics that set them apart. So, before you can address the issue, you need to know who you’re dealing with – is it a gopher vs mole?
Physical Characteristics of Gophers and Moles
Gopher Features
Gophers are medium-sized rodents with a stocky build. They typically measure about 6 to 10 inches in length, with a short, hairy tail that helps them navigate their tunnels. Their fur can vary in color from black to light brown, blending with the soil to provide camouflage from predators. One of the most distinctive features of gophers is their large cheek pouches, which extend from the side of the mouth down to the shoulders. These pouches are used to transport food and nesting materials. Gophers also have strong, curved claws on their forelimbs, designed for digging, and their teeth are well-adapted for gnawing through roots and tubers.
Mole Features
Moles are small mammals with a more elongated body shape compared to gophers. They generally range from 4 to 7 inches in length and possess a unique velvet-like fur that can move in any direction, preventing dirt from getting trapped as they burrow. Moles have tiny eyes and ears that are not visible externally, as these features are not essential for their underground existence. One of their most striking features is the broad, spade-like forelimbs with oversized paws, which act like powerful shovels for digging through the soil. Their snouts are pointed and contain a specialized sensory organ called Eimer’s organ, which detects prey and navigates their dark environment.
Sensory Adaptations
Both gophers and moles have adapted to their underground habitats with specialized sensory systems. Gophers rely on their sensitive whiskers to feel their way through their tunnels. Moles, however, have an advanced sense of touch thanks to the Eimer’s organ, which compensates for their lack of good vision. This organ is incredibly sensitive to vibrations and electrical fields, allowing moles to hunt their prey underground. While gophers have better vision compared to moles, their eyesight is still relatively poor, and they depend more on their sense of smell and touch.
Habitat and Behavior of Gophers and Moles
Where Gophers Live
Gophers are highly adaptable and can be found in a range of environments, from woodlands and grasslands to agricultural fields. They prefer areas with soft, moist soil that is easy to dig through. Gophers are solitary creatures, with each individual maintaining its own tunnel system. These systems can be quite expansive, covering an area up to 2,000 square feet. The complex network of tunnels serves not only as living quarters but also as storage for food and protection against predators.
Where Moles Live
Moles, similar to gophers, favor environments with rich, moist soil that is conducive to digging and abundant in food supply. They are commonly found in meadows, woodlands, and gardens. Moles build extensive tunnel systems, which include shallow runways for daily foraging and deeper, permanent tunnels for nesting and protection during extreme weather. Unlike gophers, moles may share some parts of their tunnel systems with other moles during the breeding season or when food is plentiful.
Behavioral Traits
Gophers are known to be industrious foragers, primarily feeding on plants, including roots, tubers, and stems. They pull vegetation into their tunnels from below, which is often the reason for the sudden disappearance of garden plants. Gophers are also territorial and will defend their burrows aggressively if invaded by other animals. Moles, in contrast, are insectivores and their diet consists mainly of earthworms, grubs, and other soil invertebrates. Their tunneling activities are mainly in pursuit of these food sources, and they can eat up to 70-100% of their body weight in a single day.
Differences in Burrowing Behavior between Gophers and Moles
Gopher Excavation Techniques
Gopher tunnels are a marvel of engineering, with each gopher constructing multiple burrow systems that include nesting chambers, food storage areas, and defecation sites. These systems are often marked by the presence of “gopher mounds,” which are fan-shaped piles of dirt that result from the gopher pushing soil to the surface. The structure of a gopher’s tunnel system is strategic, with deeper tunnels for safety during the dry seasons and shallower ones for foraging.
Mole Excavation Techniques
Moles exhibit an efficient burrowing technique, using their powerful forelimbs to swim through the soil. Their tunnels are not randomly constructed; rather, they are meticulously planned and can be differentiated into two types: feeding tunnels and nesting tunnels. The feeding tunnels are usually just below the surface and appear as raised ridges across your yard, while the deeper tunnels, where moles nest and raise their young, are less visible from the surface.
Impact on Soil and Plants
The burrowing behavior of gophers and moles has a significant impact on soil composition and plant health. Gopher tunnels can damage the root systems of plants, leading to their decay, and can disrupt irrigation systems. Conversely, mole activity can actually benefit the soil by aerating it and mixing deeper soils with surface soils, although their surface tunnels can cause problems for plant roots and make lawns unsightly.
Control and Removal Methods for Gophers and Moles
Identifying the Pest
Before you attempt any control measures, it’s crucial to identify whether you’re dealing with gophers or moles. Observation of the mounds and tunnels can give you a good indication: gopher mounds are generally fan-shaped and have a plug, while molehills are more volcanic in shape with no visible plug. Once you’ve identified the pest, you can tailor your approach to control or removal accordingly.
Humane Removal Techniques
There are several humane ways to encourage gophers and moles to move on from your yard. One method is to plant vegetation that these animals find unpalatable or install barriers such as underground fences. Additionally, vibration stakes and ultrasonic devices can deter gophers and moles by creating an uncomfortable environment for them. It’s important to remember that these animals are part of the ecosystem and play a role in soil health, so humane removal is often the best initial approach.
Professional Removal Services
If your gopher or mole problem persists and is causing significant damage, it might be time to call in the professionals. Pest control experts, such as Recon Pest Services, can assess the situation and provide effective removal solutions. They have the expertise to determine the best course of action, whether that’s trapping, baiting, or employing other strategies to manage the population. Remember, dealing with gophers and moles can be challenging, and professional services can save you time and frustration.
Conclusion: Gopher vs Mole
By now, you have a clearer understanding of the differences between gophers and moles. From their physical characteristics to their habitats, behaviors, and burrowing techniques, these two animals are distinct in many ways. While they both can cause issues in your yard, their presence is also an indication of a healthy ecosystem. It’s important to approach the control and removal of these animals thoughtfully, considering their ecological importance and the potential for humane methods.
Remember that successful management of gophers and moles begins with proper identification and an understanding of their behavior. If you find that the disruption to your yard is too much to bear, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.
Got voles or moles wrecking up your yard year round? Recon Pest Services can put a stop to that. Contact us today to get your yard de-voled or moled as soon as possible!