Differences Between A Gopher And A Woodchuck

Gophers and woodchucks, members of the rodent family, are often mistaken for one another due to their similar looks. They both have short legs and fur coats but, upon closer inspection, there are actually many differences between them. These differences include ear size, tails, habitats, and more. Understanding the differences between these two animals is helpful to identify them correctly.

Ear Shape

The shape of a gopher’s ears is directly related to its habitat. Gophers that live in warmer climates will have smaller ears in order to conserve body heat. Conversely, gophers in colder climates will have longer, more prominent ears to better detect predators. On the other hand, woodchucks have small, round ears regardless of their climate or habitat.

The ears of a gopher tend to be slimmer and overlap its head, with the ear being visible for about one-third of its circumference. The ear of a woodchuck is almost entirely visible and is circular in shape.

Tail Size

Gophers and woodchucks also differ in the size and shape of their tails. Gophers have short tails with a white tip, making it easy to identify. Additionally, they are able to use their tails to help control their body temperature, by shielding the body from hot sun or wrapping around them to keep them warm.

On the other hand, woodchucks have flat, bushy tails and they are much longer than a gopher’s. Furthermore, woodchucks use their tails to express emotion, using their tail to express fear or anger.

Size

Even though both animals are considered small rodents, a gopher is even smaller than a woodchuck. Gophers typically range from 5-14 inches in length, with about 2-5.5 inches being their tail. Woodchucks are larger, ranging from 14-20 inches in length, and their tails typically measure about 5-10 inches.

Gophers typically weigh less than a pound, while woodchucks can reach up to five pounds, giving them significantly heavier builds.

Teeth

Gophers have sharp incisor teeth that they use for digging and burrowing through the ground. They also have a set of molars which they use to grind materials like plant food. On the other hand, woodchucks have both sharp incisors and molars, but woodchucks’ teeth are slightly less sharp and they do not grow as long as gophers’.

Woodchucks’ incisors angle forward slightly, so that they can better chew plants and vegetable matter.

Habitat

Gophers prefer to live in deep burrows, so they will often live in places with soft soil. They inhabit grassy areas, fields, pastures and gardens in North America from Canada down to Mexico. Meanwhile, woodchucks live in shallow burrows near the surface as they do not need to dig in too deep to hide from predators. Woodchucks can often be found in open meadows, woods clearings, hills, and along the edges of forests.

Woodchucks rarely venture out of their dens during the winter, while gophers prefer to stay in their burrows year round.

Color

Gophers are short-haired and typically brown but can range in color from gray to black. On the other hand, woodchucks have long hair and the color of their coat can range from black, brown, and coppery red or even yellow.

Woodchucks will often have patches of white on their backs and their underside is usually light cream or white.

Diet

Gophers and woodchucks have mostly vegetarian diets, though they will occasionally eat small animals like insects. Gophers feed on small roots, shoots, and bulbs while woodchucks prefer grass, clover, and fruiting plants. Woodchucks can also swim and can be found in the water finding frogs, fish, and even small snakes to eat.

Gophers rarely venture out of their burrows to find food and because of this, they form parts of their diets with substantial amounts of stored vegetation.

Activity Level

Gophers are often more active in winter months, while woodchucks become inactive for weeks or months during this time. In comparison to gophers, woodchucks will often take naps or hibernate for weeks at a time, since they are less active during this season.

Meanwhile, gophers are fairly active, staying underground year round and sheltering in their burrows when the weather gets too cold or uncomfortable. They will often emerge from their burrows to feed on nearby vegetation, but seldom venture too far from their burrows since they are prey to many predators, such as hawks and foxes.

Offspring

Gophers mate between early spring and late summer and each pregnancy can result in 1-6 babies. Gophers also reach sexual maturity as early as two months of age. On the other hand, woodchucks usually mate between February and April, and a litter of 3-4 baby woodchucks is born in May or June. Woodchucks usually reach sexual maturity at one year of age.

Both gopher and woodchuck young stay with their mother for at least one summer and some remain with their mother for a second summer before beginning to live on their own.

Predators

Gophers are prey to several animals, such as hawks, foxes, badgers and even snakes. Furthermore, cats and dogs also find gophers to be easy prey. Similarly, woodchucks are targeted by a variety of predators, such as foxes, coyotes, and even eagles.

Specific to gopher, many humans also hunt them in order to use their soft pelts or extract revenge for the gopher’s habit of destroying grass and crops.

Call

Gophers and woodchucks can make vocalizations in order to communicate with one another and protect their territory. Gophers usually, whistle to warn other animals of danger. Meanwhile, woodchucks tend to make a much higher pitched sound and it is described as a ‘chuck’ noise.

The call of a woodchuck is much louder than that of a gopher, making it easier to differentiate between the two animals.

Summary

Gophers and woodchucks may look similar but there are many differences between the two. Gophers have small ears that are visible for one-third of the circumference, as well as a white-tipped tail. Additionally, gophers have long incisor teeth used for digging and feeding on small roots. Woodchucks have round, prominent ears, a longer, bushy tail and less sharp incisors. Furthermore, their habitat preferences and activity levels also differ. Knowing these differences can help one better identify these animals in the wild.

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