True pocket gophers (family Geomyidae) are not native to or established in Ohio. Many people mistake other burrowing animals for gophers due to similar ground disturbances. Understanding the distinct characteristics of Ohio’s actual burrowing wildlife can help identify the animals causing activity in yards and gardens.
Gophers: Not in Ohio
Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents known for their fur-lined cheek pouches, which they use to carry food and nesting materials. These animals are well-adapted for an underground existence, possessing powerful front paws with large claws for digging, small eyes and ears, and sensitive whiskers. They typically create extensive tunnel systems and are largely solitary creatures.
Pocket gophers are native to western and central North America, extending from Canada south through parts of the United States, Mexico, and into Central America. While some species are found in limited areas of the southeastern U.S., Ohio does not host a stable, breeding population. Therefore, any sightings of “gophers” in Ohio are almost certainly other burrowing species.
Ohio’s Common Burrowers
Ohio is home to several burrowing animals that often cause confusion due to the tunnels and mounds they create. The Eastern mole, voles, and groundhogs are the most frequent culprits responsible for subterranean activity in residential and agricultural areas. Each of these animals leaves distinct signs of its presence.
Eastern Moles
Eastern moles are insectivores, primarily feeding on earthworms, grubs, and other soil-dwelling invertebrates. Adapted for underground life, they have paddle-shaped front feet, no external ears, and very small eyes. Moles create shallow surface ridges and deeper tunnels, pushing up characteristic volcano-shaped mounds of fine soil with a central plug.
Voles
Voles are small, mouse-like herbivores that consume plants, roots, and bark; common Ohio species include Meadow, Pine, and Prairie voles. They create shallow, narrow runways on the surface, often concealed by vegetation, and small, open burrow entrances about one to two inches in diameter. Unlike moles, voles do not typically leave large dirt mounds.
Groundhogs
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are larger rodents weighing 4 to 9 pounds and measuring 16 to 26 inches. These herbivores consume grasses, clover, and garden plants. They dig extensive burrow systems with large, obvious main entrances, often accompanied by a significant mound of excavated dirt, and can extend several feet underground with multiple escape routes.
Identifying and Managing Burrowing Animals
Differentiating between the burrowing animals in Ohio often depends on the type of damage and the appearance of their tunnels or mounds. Mole activity is indicated by raised ridges and volcano-shaped soil mounds, which are typically round and symmetrical. Vole presence is usually identified by narrow, well-worn surface runways through grass or mulch, and small, open burrow holes without significant soil mounds. Voles also cause damage by gnawing on the bark of trees and shrubs, particularly during winter. Groundhog burrows, in contrast, are much larger, often 8 to 12 inches wide, with a sizable fan-shaped pile of dirt at the entrance. These larger burrows are typically found near structures, fences, or wooded areas.
Managing burrowing animals involves various approaches, often beginning with habitat modification to make the area less appealing. For example, removing overgrown vegetation can reduce cover for voles. Exclusion methods, such as burying hardware cloth fencing around gardens, can deter groundhogs and voles. Trapping can be an effective method for removing individual animals. For persistent or extensive problems, consulting local extension offices or professional wildlife control services is advisable for specific and humane solutions.