If you’ve spotted a chunky, dirt-moving mammal in your yard, you might wonder about a groundhog vs. gopher invasion. Despite similar lifestyles and habitats, these burrowing rodents are very different animals.

Gophers and groundhogs both dig extensive underground burrows and feast on plants, making them common garden pests. But their appearance, habits, and biological families set them apart.

Gophers and Groundhogs Are Not the Same Animal

Gophers belong to the Geomyidae family, which includes many species like the genus Thomomys . Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, belong to the Sciuridae family, alongside squirrels and prairie dogs. So while both are rodents, they come from different families entirely.

Gophers are smaller, usually weighing about 2 lbs (less than a kilogram

See Full Page