Moles vs. Gophers: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

There’s nothing worse than nurturing a lush lawn only for it to be destroyed overnight by dastardly diggers. Learning the difference between moles versus gophers will help you determine which of these common burrowing culprits is causing those messy mounds, which creature is the bigger problem, and the best strategy for eviction. 

What Are the Differences Between Moles and Gophers?

Moles and gophers are both animals that can dig holes in your yard. However, some key differences in their appearance and behaviors make it easy to identify which one you’re dealing with and decide what to do about them.

There are several gopher species in North America, but the pocket gopher is most common in backyards, and our guide focuses on this species.

Moles vs. Gophers: Differences in Appearance

Gophers and moles spend much of their time in underground tunnels (especially moles), but if you do catch sight of them, telling them apart is easy.

Size

Pocket gophers are smaller than some gopher species, but they’re bigger than moles. There are several mole species in North America, but they rarely even reach 7 inches in length or 5 ounces in weight. Gophers can be up to 14 inches long, and big, healthy males can be 16 ounces.

Color

Moles come in various colors, mostly brown, gray, or black. Gophers are always some shade of brown.

Shape

One of the biggest differences between moles versus gophers is their body shape. Moles have distinctive pink paddle-like paws with big claws as well as tails and pointy noses. Their tiny eyes aren’t obvious underneath their fur, and they don’t have external ear flaps. Pocket gophers look more like chunky little rats with long claws. Their eyes and ears are clearly visible, and their protruding yellow-brown front teeth are another distinguishing feature.

Feeding Differences

Moles are insectivorous mammals, so they eat bugs found in the soil, such as worms, ants, and grubs. Since their food source can be found entirely underground, they don’t come aboveground to feed. Gophers are herbivorous rodents with a plant-based diet. If entire plants from your garden disappear underground or their roots are gnawed on, you’ll know it's not moles causing the problem.

Habitat Differences

Knowing the difference between mole versus gopher habitats can help you identify which critter you have in your yard. Moles love swimming through loose, moist soil where food sources are plentiful. Gophers prefer tunneling in drier sites where plants thrive.

Mound Differences

The shape and texture of the mounds on your lawn can help you tell the difference between moles versus gophers. Mole mounds are cone-shaped (like a mini volcano), finely textured, and have a plug in the center. Gophers make coarser, larger, flatter, and more crescent- or fan-shaped mounds with a plugged hole to the side.

It’s rare to see moles popping up out of their tunnels. You might see a gopher returning from gathering some of your plants or even eating them at their tunnel entrance.

Lifecycle Differences

There’s more chance of your yard getting overrun by gophers than moles. Gophers can have up to three litters per year, and each litter can produce up to six offspring. Solitary moles only have one litter per year. However, both creatures are territorial, so it’s unlikely that you’ll have a large population of either species in a cozy backyard. 

Damage Differences

When herbivorous greedy gophers set up shop in your yard, your plants often see big impacts, and gophers can even chew on utility cables or irrigation pipes. Root damage is still possible during moles’ tunnel-making, but it’s less common. Many gardeners are happy to put up with mole mounds. These mammals are beneficial soil aerators, and they eat damaging lawn grubs and insects that can harm your plants.

However, both critters' tunnel systems can cause drainage problems, stunted vegetative growth, or, in extreme cases, erosion or foundation damage. Gopher tunnel systems sometimes interconnect, and the tunnel systems for a single gopher can be up to 2,000 square feet. Speedy, soil-swimming moles can make up to 150 feet of tunnels in a day.

Prevention Differences

If you can’t live peacefully alongside moles or gophers because of the damage they cause, you’ll need to take steps to get rid of these animals. Here are some of the differences between mole and gopher prevention strategies.

Trapping 

Trapping is the most effective way to remove both moles and gophers. However, always check local regulations and restrictions. You often need to call a professional wildlife removal company near you because only certain traps may be authorized in your area. Scissor jaw types are common for trapping moles, and two-pronged pincer traps are favorites for gophers.

Remove Access to Food Sources

Focusing on making it more difficult to access food sources can be a humane and successful strategy for getting rid of gophers. Adding wire baskets around plants and burying mesh barriers when building raised garden beds can help, too. You can also plant things gophers don’t like, such as oleander and daffodils. This won’t work when getting rid of moles because you don’t want to clear the soil of beneficial bugs like worms.

Repellents

One study from the University of Kentucky suggests that castor oil repellents could help keep moles at bay, but the results are inconclusive. No repellents are fully proven to be effective against gophers.