The sight of fresh dirt mounds or raised ridges disrupting a lawn is often the first sign of a subterranean intruder. Both moles and gophers are talented excavators that live almost entirely underground, but the damage they cause is distinct. Homeowners frequently confuse the two, leading to frustration and ineffective control attempts. Understanding the specific differences in their tunneling habits, physical appearance, and diet is necessary for accurately identifying the culprit.
Distinguishing Tunnel and Mound Structures
The most reliable way to determine the identity of the burrower is by closely examining the architecture of the dirt structures left on the surface. Moles create two primary types of evidence: the molehill and the surface runway. The molehill is a symmetrical, conical, or volcano-shaped mound of fine, sifted soil, often relatively small. The entrance hole connecting to the deep tunnel system is typically located directly in the center of the mound and is usually sealed with a dirt plug.
The other indicator of mole activity is the raised ridge, or surface runway, which appears as a winding line of uplifted sod across the lawn. These tunnels are created as the mole forages for food just below the grass roots, sometimes only an inch or two beneath the surface. When pressure is applied, these ridges often feel spongy and soft, representing the mole’s active feeding network. Mole tunnels are generally smaller in diameter.
In contrast, gophers construct a larger, asymmetrical mound of excavated soil that is distinctly fan-shaped or crescent-shaped. The opening to the main tunnel is not in the center of the mound but is offset to one side. This hole is almost always tightly plugged with soil, which is the “handle” of the fan shape. Gophers are meticulous about plugging their entrances to protect against predators and weather.
Gopher tunnels are deeper than mole surface runways, generally located between 4 and 18 inches below the surface, and they rarely create the raised ridges seen with moles. The soil in a gopher mound often consists of coarser, clumpier soil compared to the finely sifted dirt of a molehill. A single, active gopher can produce up to 200 of these mounds in a year. Their tunnel diameter is larger, usually ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 inches.
Key Physical Differences and Behaviors
If an animal is sighted, the physical characteristics provide an immediate identification. Moles are insectivores, not rodents, with a cylindrical body and a pointed, hairless snout. Their enormous, paddle-like forepaws are rotated outward and equipped with large claws, perfectly adapted for “swimming” through the soil. Moles have extremely small eyes and no external ears, and they typically measure between 6 to 8 inches in length.
Gophers, also known as pocket gophers, are true rodents, identified by their prominent, exposed incisor teeth and external, fur-lined cheek pouches used for carrying food. They are generally larger than moles, averaging around 12 inches in length. Their forepaws are clawed but smaller and less specialized than a mole’s; their eyes and ears are small but distinctly visible.
The difference in diet is the most significant behavioral distinction, leading to different patterns of plant damage. Moles are carnivores, feeding primarily on earthworms, grubs, and other subterranean insects. While their tunneling can disturb and dry out plant roots, moles do not eat the vegetation itself. Gophers, however, are herbivores that consume roots, bulbs, tubers, and grasses. They often pull entire plants, including stems and leaves, down into their burrows to eat, resulting in plants completely disappearing or showing signs of gnawing at the base.
Why Accurate Identification is Crucial
Correctly identifying the animal is a prerequisite for successful management, not merely a matter of curiosity. Moles and gophers have fundamentally different behavioral patterns and tunnel systems, meaning control measures must be tailored to the specific pest. Moles prefer moist, rich soil because it harbors their primary food source, while gophers can tolerate drier conditions and focus on accessing plant roots.
Effective control relies on placing traps or bait directly into the active tunnel system, and the placement differs entirely between the two. Mole traps are most effective when placed in the shallow, raised surface runways they use for foraging. Conversely, gopher traps must be set deeper within the main, lateral tunnel connecting to the offset plug of the fan-shaped mound. Using the wrong control method is unlikely to yield results because the target is either in the wrong location or the wrong type of tunnel.