What is a Gopher?

Gophers are fascinating creatures that play a significant role in the landscape of North and Central America. Although they may look similar to rats, they belong to the family Geomyidae, and you may even know them as 'pocket gophers' because it has fur lining the pouches inside their cheeks. In this article, we will explore various aspects of gophers and learn about their habits, behavior, and ways of prevention. Gophers typically live for 1-3 years, and weigh 1 - 2.2 pounds.

Is a Gopher a Rat?

Gophers are not rats, even though they may look alike. They are burrowing animals that belong to the family Geomyidae, whereas rats are from the family Muridae. The physical similarities between the two animals are minimal, and their behavior is also very different. Gophers are solitary creatures that prefer to live alone in their tunnels, while rats are highly social.

What Do Gophers Eat?

Gophers are herbivores, and their diet mainly consists of roots, bulbs, and other plant parts. They obtain sufficient moisture from the food they eat, which means they do not require a source of open water. Gophers are herbivorous rodents that primarily feed on plant matter. Their diet consists mainly of roots, tubers, bulbs, and other underground plant parts. Here is a list of common foods that gophers eat

Gophers are powerful diggers, and their tunnels can stretch for over a hundred feet and go as deep as six feet. In areas with snow, they will even gnaw on trees and shrubs' bark several feet above the ground. If left unchecked, they can cause significant damage to crops and gardens.

Can you prevent gophers?

Yes, you can prevent gophers from causing damage to your yard, garden, or crops. Some natural deterrents that you can use include:

• Placing fish oil, peppermint oil, or coffee grounds on the ground near gopher tunnels can repel gophers.
• Applying these substances in the areas you want to protect, like your garden beds, can help keep gophers away.
• You can also plant certain plants that gophers do not like. These include daffodils, marigolds, and alliums.
• Traps are also available that you can use to catch gophers.

Gophers are fascinating creatures that have a significant impact on their habitat, and they play an important ecological role in maintaining soil health. However, they can also cause damage to your yard, garden, or crops if left unchecked. By using natural deterrents and traps, or by getting professional gopher control, you can keep these little digging machines away.