Many North Carolina residents wonder if gophers are responsible for subterranean activity in their yards or gardens. While the term “gopher” is widely recognized, the true identity of these burrowing animals in North Carolina is often different from what many assume.
The Truth About Gophers in North Carolina
True gophers, specifically pocket gophers, are not native to North Carolina. These burrowing rodents are primarily found in the central plains and western United States. While some species, such as the Southeastern pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis), exist in the southeastern U.S., their range is limited to states like Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, not extending into North Carolina.
The name “pocket gopher” refers to their fur-lined cheek pouches used for carrying food. These animals are highly adapted for an underground lifestyle, rarely appearing above ground. The confusion often stems from the colloquial use of “gopher” to describe various burrowing animals, but scientifically, the term refers to a distinct group of rodents not indigenous to North Carolina’s ecosystems.
Common Burrowing Animals in North Carolina
North Carolina is home to several burrowing animals that commonly create tunnels and mounds, often leading to their misidentification as gophers. Among the most prevalent are moles, voles, and groundhogs. Each of these species has distinct characteristics and habits.
Moles are insectivorous mammals, and three species are found in North Carolina: the Eastern mole, the Hairy-tailed mole, and the Star-nosed mole. Eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus) are widespread across all 100 counties, favoring moist soils in various habitats. Star-nosed moles (Condylura cristata) are less common, found in wetland habitats. Moles spend nearly their entire lives underground.
Voles, often referred to as meadow mice, are small rodents abundant in North Carolina. Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) are the most common species. Pine voles primarily live and cause damage underground, feeding on plant roots and bulbs. Meadow voles spend much of their lives above ground, creating networks of tunnels within dense grasses.
Groundhogs (Marmota monax), also known as woodchucks, are the largest members of the squirrel family native to North Carolina. Their range has expanded across the state. These robust rodents prefer open areas and woodland edges, where they construct extensive burrow systems.
How to Identify Burrowing Pest Activity
Identifying burrowing pest activity involves observing specific signs related to tunneling, feeding habits, and mound construction. Each animal leaves unique indicators.
Mole Activity
Mole activity is characterized by two types of disturbances: molehills and raised surface tunnels. Molehills are conical or volcano-shaped mounds of soil, often several inches high, pushed up as the mole excavates deeper tunnels. Surface tunnels appear as raised ridges across lawns, created as moles forage for insects and earthworms just beneath the soil’s surface. Moles do not eat plants, but their tunneling can disrupt root systems, leading to wilting vegetation.
Vole Activity
Vole activity includes visible surface runways. These narrow, serpentine pathways are typically found in dense grass, often containing small pieces of clipped vegetation. Vole burrow entrances are small and appear clean, with no noticeable dirt mounds. Voles are herbivores and cause damage by chewing on the bark of young trees and shrubs, and consuming plant roots, bulbs, and garden vegetables.
Groundhog Activity
Groundhog burrows are larger than those of moles or voles. Their main entrances are typically 6 to 8 inches in diameter and are accompanied by a substantial mound of excavated dirt. Groundhogs often create multiple entrances to their complex burrow systems, found in open fields, gardens, or beneath structures. Signs of their feeding include partially eaten garden plants and crops. Groundhogs are active during the day, making direct sightings near their burrows possible.