Gophers are common burrowing rodents that can establish extensive tunnel systems in gardens and fields. These mammals, also known as pocket gophers, are identifiable by their strong claws and cheek pouches, which they use to carry food. Understanding their behavior, particularly their activity patterns, is helpful for recognizing their presence on a property.
Gopher Activity Patterns
Gophers are active year-round and do not hibernate. While they spend most of their lives underground within their burrows, they do emerge to the surface for various tasks. Observations indicate that gophers are active both day and night, with periods of rest.
Peak activity times include early morning, late afternoon, and overnight (8:00 PM to 6:00 AM), with afternoon activity also noted (1:00 PM to 5:00 PM). Gophers make several trips out of their tunnels daily, and the duration of these trips can vary. This flexible activity schedule allows them to adapt to environmental conditions and their immediate needs.
Why Gophers Prefer Daytime Activity
Gophers’ surface activity is influenced by environmental factors. Foraging needs often align with daylight hours, as plants are more accessible for these herbivores. Gophers primarily consume roots, tubers, and other underground plant parts, but they also pull plants down from the surface into their tunnels.
Their subterranean lifestyle offers protection from above-ground predators. While some predators are nocturnal, remaining largely underground during the day helps gophers avoid diurnal threats such as birds of prey. Burrows also provide a stable microclimate, insulating gophers from extreme surface temperatures. They may adjust surface excursions to cooler times, like early mornings or late afternoons, to avoid excessive heat.
Signs of Gopher Presence
The most apparent indication of gopher activity is distinctive dirt mounds. These mounds are typically fan-shaped or crescent-shaped, with a plugged hole off to one side. Gophers create these mounds as they excavate their underground tunnel systems, pushing loose soil to the surface. A single gopher can create multiple mounds in a day.
Another sign is plugged tunnel entrances, where gophers seal off active tunnels to prevent intruders. Beyond visible mounds, plant damage indicates gopher presence. Damage includes sudden wilting or death of plants from chewed roots, or entire plants disappearing as they are pulled into tunnels. Soft or sunken areas in the lawn can also indicate a tunnel network beneath the surface.