Gopher vs. Marmot — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 3, 2024
Gophers are small, burrowing rodents known for their extensive tunneling activities, while marmots are larger, ground-dwelling rodents that are part of the squirrel family.
Difference Between Gopher and Marmot
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Gophers, belonging to the family Geomyidae, are small rodents that live mostly underground. They are known for creating complex tunnel systems, which they use for living quarters, storage, and protection from predators. Gophers are solitary animals, and their presence is often detected by the mounds of dirt they push to the surface when tunneling. On the other hand, marmots belong to the genus Marmota, within the larger squirrel family Sciuridae. They are significantly larger than gophers and live in open habitats such as grasslands and mountainous regions. Marmots are social animals, often found living in colonies, and they hibernate during the winter months.
While gophers have a diet that primarily consists of roots and tubers they encounter while burrowing underground, marmots are omnivores that feed on a variety of plants, insects, and occasionally small animals. This difference in diet reflects their different habitats and lifestyles, with gophers being more subterranean and marmots being more surface-dwelling and social.
Gophers are known for their destructive tunneling activities, which can damage crops, gardens, and landscaping. Their solitary nature means that they do not form social bonds except during the breeding season. Marmots, in contrast, are known for their "whistling" calls, which they use to communicate with each other, especially when alarmed. Their social structures are complex, with established hierarchies within colonies.
Marmots are larger, with some species weighing over 10 pounds (4.5 kg), and have a more robust build compared to gophers. Marmots also have a distinctive behavior of standing on their hind legs to survey their surroundings, which is not a common sight with gophers. Gophers have fur-lined cheek pouches used for carrying food, a feature that is not found in marmots.
In terms of habitat, gophers are more adaptable and can be found in a wide range of environments, from woodlands to plains. Marmots, however, are typically found in more specific environments that provide the open spaces and rocky areas they prefer for their colonies. The adaptability of gophers allows them to be more widespread, whereas marmots are often associated with specific ecological niches.
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Comparison Chart
Family
Geomyidae
Sciuridae (squirrel family)
Size
Small
Large
Habitat
Underground burrows
Open habitats, such as grasslands and mountainous regions
Social Behavior
Solitary
Social, lives in colonies
Diet
Primarily roots and tubers
Omnivorous, includes plants and insects
Distinguishing Features
Fur-lined cheek pouches for carrying food
Whistles to communicate; stands on hind legs to survey surroundings
Adaptability
Highly adaptable to various environments
Prefers specific ecological niches
Compare with Definitions
Gopher
A small burrowing rodent known for its extensive tunneling.
A gopher's tunnel can be a nuisance in agricultural lands.
Marmot
Large, ground-dwelling rodents within the squirrel family.
The yellow-bellied marmot is often found sunning itself on rocks.
Gopher
Solitary creatures with fur-lined cheek pouches.
The gopher carried food in its cheek pouches back to its burrow.
Marmot
Omnivorous, with a diet that includes plants and insects.
The marmot was seen foraging for greens and insects near its burrow.
Gopher
Prolific diggers that affect landscaping and crops.
Farmers often try to control gopher populations due to the damage they cause.
Marmot
Known for living in colonies and hibernating in winter.
Marmots huddle together in their burrows during the long winter months.
Gopher
Mainly found in North and Central America.
The pocket gopher is a common sight in the plains of North America.
Marmot
Communicates with whistles, especially when alarmed.
A marmot's whistle alerted the colony to the presence of a predator.
Gopher
Gophers have short tails and powerful limbs for digging.
The gopher used its strong limbs to rapidly burrow into the ground.
Marmot
Prefers habitats with open spaces and rocky areas.
Alpine meadows are ideal habitats for many marmot species.
Gopher
Pocket gophers, commonly referred to simply as gophers, are burrowing rodents of the family Geomyidae. The roughly 35 species are all endemic to North and Central America.
Marmot
Marmots are relatively large ground squirrels in the genus Marmota, with 15 species living in Asia, Europe, and North America. These herbivores are active during the summer when often found in groups, but are not seen during the winter when they hibernate underground.
Gopher
Any of various short-tailed, burrowing rodents of the family Geomyidae of North America, having fur-lined external cheek pouches. Also called pocket gopher.
Marmot
Any of various stocky, coarse-furred, burrowing rodents of the genus Marmota, having short legs and ears and short bushy tails and found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Gopher
Any of various ground squirrels of North American prairies.
Marmot
Any of several large ground-dwelling rodents of the genera Marmota and Cynomys in the squirrel family.
Gopher
See gopher tortoise.
Marmot
Any rodent of the genus Marmota (formerly Arctomys) of the subfamily Sciurinae. The common European marmot (Marmota marmotta) is about the size of a rabbit, and inhabits the higher regions of the Alps and Pyrenees. The bobac is another European species. The common American species (Marmota monax) is the woodchuck (also called groundhog), but the name marmot is usually used only for the western variety.
Gopher
A small burrowing rodent native to North and Central America, especially in the family Geomyidae (true gophers).
Pocket gopher
Marmot
Any one of several species of ground squirrels or gophers of the genus Spermophilus; also, the prairie dog.
Gopher
The ground squirrel.
Marmot
Stocky coarse-furred burrowing rodent with a short bushy tail found throughout the northern hemisphere; hibernates in winter
Gopher
The gopher tortoise.
Gopher
The gopher rockfish.
Gopher
One of several North American burrowing rodents of the genera Geomys and Thomomys, of the family Geomyidæ; - called also pocket gopher and pouched rat. See Pocket gopher, and Tucan.
Gopher
One of several western American species of the genus Spermophilus, of the family Sciuridæ; as, the gray gopher (Spermophilus Franklini) and the striped gopher (S. tridecemlineatus); - called also striped prairie squirrel, leopard marmot, and leopard spermophile. See Spermophile.
Gopher
A large land tortoise (Testudo Carilina) of the Southern United States, which makes extensive burrows.
Gopher
A large burrowing snake (Spilotes Couperi) of the Southern United States.
Gopher
A zealously energetic person (especially a salesman)
Gopher
Any of various terrestrial burrowing rodents of Old and New Worlds; often destroy crops
Gopher
Burrowing rodent of the family Geomyidae having large external cheek pouches; of Central America and southwestern North America
Gopher
Burrowing edible land tortoise of southeastern North America
Common Curiosities
What distinguishes a gopher from a marmot?
Gophers are smaller, solitary, burrowing rodents with a diet focused on roots and tubers, while marmots are larger, social, primarily surface-dwelling rodents that are part of the squirrel family.
Can gophers and marmots live in the same habitat?
While their habitats may overlap in some regions, gophers and marmots typically prefer different environments, with gophers being more adaptable and marmots requiring specific ecological niches.
How can you tell a gopher burrow from other animal burrows?
Gopher burrows are identifiable by the fan-shaped mounds of dirt they create at the entrance. Unlike the holes created by some other burrowing animals, gopher holes often do not have visible dirt around the rim, as the soil is pushed to the side.
Why are gophers considered pests?
Gophers are often viewed as pests due to their tunneling activities, which can damage crops, gardens, and landscaping.
How do marmots communicate?
Marmots use whistling sounds to communicate with each other, especially to alert about potential threats.
How long do marmots live?
The lifespan of a marmot can vary by species, but many live between 5 to 10 years in the wild. Factors such as predation, habitat, and availability of food can influence their lifespan.
What is the impact of gophers on agriculture?
Gophers can have a significant negative impact on agriculture by damaging crops through their burrowing activities, eating plant roots, and creating uneven ground that complicates cultivation and harvesting.
Are marmots social throughout the year?
Marmots are highly social during the warmer months but hibernate in winter. Before hibernation, they gather in their burrows, where they live in close quarters, relying on body heat to survive the cold.
Do marmots hibernate?
Yes, marmots hibernate during the winter months, a behavior that helps them survive when food is scarce and temperatures are low.
What do gophers eat?
Gophers primarily feed on the roots and tubers they encounter while burrowing underground. Their diet can also include above-ground parts of plants, which they pull down into their tunnels.
Are gophers social animals?
No, gophers are primarily solitary animals, except during the breeding season when they interact for mating purposes.
Can marmots be found outside of mountainous regions?
While many marmot species are associated with mountainous and alpine regions, some live in other types of habitats, such as grasslands and steppes, depending on the species.
What methods are used to control gopher populations?
Methods to control gopher populations include trapping, poisoning, and the use of natural predators. However, these methods must be carefully managed to minimize environmental impact.
Do marmots have any natural predators?
Yes, marmots have several natural predators, including eagles, hawks, foxes, and coyotes. Their social behavior and whistling alarms help protect them against these threats.
How do gophers survive winter?
Gophers do not hibernate but remain active throughout the winter, living off the food they have stored in their burrows. Their underground tunnels provide protection from the cold.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
