Gopher / Mole

Moles

Yates and Pedersen (1982) list seven North American species of moles. They are the eastern mole
(Scalopus aquaticus), hairy-tailed mole (Parascalops breweri), star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata),
broad-footed mole (Scapanus latimanus), Townsend’s mole (Scapanus townsendii), coast mole
(Scapanus orarius), and shrew mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii).

The mole discussed here is usually referred to as the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus). It is an
insectivore, not a rodent, and is related to shrews and bats.

True moles may be distinguished from meadow mice (voles), shrews, or pocket gophers—with
which they are often confused—by noting certain characteristics. They have a hairless, pointed
snout extending nearly 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in front of the mouth opening. The small eyes and the
opening of the ear canal are concealed in the fur; there are no external ears. The forefeet are very
large and broad, with palms wider than they are long. The toes are webbed to the base of the claws,
which are broad and depressed. The hind feet are small and narrow, with slender, sharp claws.

Average Dimensions and Weight Males :

Average total length, 7 inches (17.6 cm)
Average length of tail, 1 1/4 inches
(3.3 cm)
Average weight, 4 ounces (115 g)
Females:
Average total length, 6 5/8 inches
(16.8 cm)
Average length of tail, 1 1/4 inches
(3.3 cm)
Average weight, 3 ounces (85 g)

Gophers

Pocket gophers are fossorial (burrowing) rodents, so named because they have fur-lined pouches
outside of the mouth, one on each side of the face. These pockets, which are capable of being
turned inside out,are used for carrying food. Pocket gophers are powerfully built in the forequarters
and have a short neck; the head is fairly small and flattened. The forepaws are large-clawed and the
lips close behind their large incisors, all marvelous adaptations to their underground existence.

Gophers have small external ears and small eyes. As sight and sound are severely limited, gophers
are highly dependent on the sense of touch. The vibrissae (whiskers) on their face are very sensitive
to touch and assist pocket gophers while traveling about in their dark tunnels. The tail is sparsely
haired and also serves as asensory mechanism guiding gophers’ backward movements. The tail is
also important in thermo-regulation, acting as a radiator.

Pocket gophers are medium-sized rodents ranging from about 5 to nearly 14 inches (13 to 36 cm)
long (head and body). Adult males are larger than adult females. Their fur is very fine, soft, and
highly variable in color. Colors range from nearly black to pale brown to almost white. The great
variability in size and color of pocket gophers is attributed to their low dispersal rate and thus limited
gene flow, resulting in adaptation to local conditions.

Thirty-four species of pocket gophers, represented by five genera, occupy the western hemisphere.
In the United States there are 13 species and three genera. The major features differentiating these
genera are the size of their forefeet, claws, and front surfaces of their chisel-like incisors.