You may not know the differences between a groundhog vs gopher– but you’re likely here to find out! There are many differences between these two common animals, including their basic species makeup. For example, groundhogs are considered members of the Sciuridae family, while gophers belong to the Geomyidae family. In this article, we will discuss the primary differences between groundhogs and gophers, including descriptions, basic habits, and life spans. You’ll soon be able to tell the difference between these two rodents. Let’s get started!
This post was updated on September 15, 2025 to clarify the Sciuridae taxonomy, groundhog face shape and teeth, gopher feet description, and groundhog burrowing habits.
Comparing Groundhog vs Gopher
| Groundhog | Gopher | |
|---|---|---|
| Size/Weight | 20 inches; 8-15 pounds | 8 inches; 1 pound or less |
| Species | Sciuridae | Geomyidae |
| Appearance | Thick body, brown legs, furry tail, no visible teeth | Small slender body, furry feet, rat like tail, visible yellow teeth |
| Habits | Does not store food, prefers to forage above ground | Complex burrowing habits and system, complete with food storage; can also store food in its cheeks and prefers to live below ground |
| Lifespan | 2-6 years | 3–5 years |
The Main Differences Between Groundhog vs Gopher
Groundhogs are considered to be members of the Sciuridae family, while gophers belong to the Geomyidae family.
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There are many key differences between groundhog vs gopher. The overall size and weight difference between groundhogs and gophers is vast, with groundhogs far outweighing gophers. The basic habits of these two animals are also different, with gophers preferring to live underground and store their food, while groundhogs are often found above ground; however, they still burrow extensively.
Groundhog vs Gopher: Size
One of the main differences between groundhogs versus gophers has to do with their overall size. You can easily tell a groundhog and a gopher a part based on their length and weight. Groundhogs tend to measure anywhere from 15 to 20 inches long, while gophers only measure 4-8 inches long. Groundhogs are also capable of weighing almost 4 kg, while gophers will weigh 200 grams at the most. Even if you happen to observe an adolescent groundhog, this rodent will still be much larger than the average gopher.
The overall size and weight difference between groundhogs and gophers is vast, with groundhogs far outweighing gophers.
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Groundhog vs Gopher: Species
Another key difference between groundhog vs gopher is their species. Groundhogs are members of the Sciuridae family, while gophers belong to the Geomyidae family. While you may have thought these two rodents belong to the same family and scientific species, they are in fact very different.
Gophers belong to Geomyidae (pocket gophers), while groundhogs belong to the marmot family. There are only 15 species of marmots, making the basic familial differences between these two rodents more obvious.
Groundhogs prefer to eat their food as they find it, while Gophers are notorious hoarders.
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Groundhog vs Gopher: Appearance
You can easily tell a groundhog vs. gopher apart based on their appearance. There is a noticeable size difference between groundhogs and gophers. Groundhogs have broad, stocky faces, while gophers are smaller but also stocky with noticeable cheek pouches. Their overall fur colorings are strikingly similar.
Groundhogs maintain brown or black feet to match their fur, while gopher’s feet are typically fur-covered and may look lighter. The tails are also different between these two rodents. For example, groundhogs have a shorter and wider furry tail, while gophers have a tail that closely resembles a rat’s tail.
A final difference in their appearance lies in their teeth. While all rodents have teeth that need to be constantly worn down in order to be effective, groundhogs do not have visible teeth from the outside. Gophers, on the other hand, often have yellowed teeth peeking out from their mouths.
Gophers also have visible cheek pockets for storing food, while groundhogs have much more slender faces.
©iStock.com/stevelenzphoto
Groundhog vs Gopher: Weight
Given the inherent size difference between groundhog vs gopher, another key difference between them lies in their weights. Gophers are extremely small when compared to a groundhog, often weighing no more than a single pound. Groundhogs on the other hand can weigh over 10 pounds, if not more.
Gophers are extremely small when compared to a groundhog, often weighing no more than a single pound.
©Moosealope / Flickr – Original
Groundhog vs Gopher: Habits
A final difference between these two rodents lies in their habits. Groundhogs vs gophers have very different lifestyles and preferences. For example, gophers live the majority of their life underground, in a series of complicated tunnels and burrows. Groundhogs prefer to live above ground, unless they are sleeping or facing inclement weather.
Another key difference between the lifestyles of a groundhog versus a gopher has to do with the way they store and consume their food. Groundhogs prefer to eat their food as they find it, while gophers are notorious hoarders. They can store food in their cheeks as well as in their burrows, and they often have whole rooms dedicated to their food storage!
What is the Difference Between a Gopher Burrow and a Groundhog Burrow?
While groundhogs spend more time above ground than gophers, they still maintain burrows year-round. Here are some differences:
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- Because gophers spend most of their lives underground, consuming roots and tubers, they build long, shallow tunnels that form mounds on the surface at exits and entrances.
- Gophers typically dig one to three crescent-shaped mounds per day, so their presence quickly becomes evident if they have decided to share your yard.
- While gophers provide themselves with lots of entrances, groundhogs only leave one large mound of dirt, which serves as their main entrance.
- Groundhogs don’t hoard food or eat plant roots, though they still may cache some vegetation. Their burrows are primarily fashioned for sleeping and are usually only around 6 feet long and wide enough to turn around in.
- Groundhogs that live around humans have a habit of building their burrows under sheds and porches.
Groundhog burrows usually have one large entrance, often dug into the side of a small hill
©Chanchal Creative/Shutterstock.com
