Gophers are common burrowing rodents, known for the distinctive mounds of earth they leave. Understanding their activity patterns is key to comprehending their presence and behaviors.
Gopher Activity Cycles
Gophers are not primarily nocturnal, exhibiting a complex activity pattern influenced by factors like species, temperature, and individual needs. Many gopher species are fossorial, spending most of their lives underground, which makes direct observation challenging.
Gophers are active throughout both day and night, not adhering to a strict nocturnal or diurnal schedule. Peak activity often occurs during early morning and late afternoon (crepuscular behavior) to avoid midday heat. They can also be active at night, particularly to avoid predators or when temperatures are more favorable. Their continuous year-round activity indicates they do not hibernate.
Life in the Burrows
Gophers are rarely seen directly, as their lives unfold almost entirely beneath the surface. They are expertly adapted for a subterranean existence, possessing strong forelimbs with large claws and incisor teeth capable of gnawing through soil. These rodents construct extensive tunnel systems for shelter, food storage, nesting, and escape from predators.
A single gopher’s burrow system can span 200 to 2,000 square feet, with feeding tunnels 6 to 12 inches deep and nesting chambers up to 6 feet deep. Their primary activities, such as foraging for roots, tubers, and bulbs, occur almost exclusively within these underground networks. When gophers appear above ground, it is usually for brief periods to push excavated dirt, gather nearby plant material, or disperse to new areas. This underground lifestyle offers protection from harsh weather and many surface predators.
Recognizing Their Presence
Despite their elusive nature, gophers leave clear indicators of their activity. The most identifiable sign is the distinctive soil mound they create. These mounds are typically fan-shaped or crescent-shaped, with a plugged hole located to one side. This differs from molehills, which are generally circular and volcano-shaped with a central plug.
Gophers form these mounds by pushing loose dirt from their tunnels to the surface. The presence of fresh, moist mounds indicates recent activity. Beyond mounds, gophers also cause feeding damage to plants, often pulling entire plants or their roots underground, leading to sudden wilting or death of vegetation. They can also damage irrigation lines and utility cables by gnawing on them.