Examples of animals like gophers include mice, rats, beavers, squirrels, and chipmunks.
Gophers are rodents that are found in North and Central America. They have long bodies and short legs, and their fur is typically brown or black. Gophers are burrowing animals, and they build extensive tunnel systems underground. These tunnel systems can be up to six feet deep and several hundred yards long.
Gophers are generally solitary creatures, but they will sometimes share their burrows with other gophers. Gophers are herbivores, and their diet consists mainly of roots, bark, and leaves.
Let us take a look at some of the most common animals that resemble gophers.
Examples of Animals Like Gophers
1. African Pygmy Mouse
| Scientific Name | Mus minutoides |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern Sub-Saharan Africa |
The African pygmy mouse is a small rodent that is found in Africa. It has a body length of approximately 2-3 inches, and its fur is brown or gray in color. The African pygmy mouse is a burrowing animal, and it builds extensive tunnel systems underground.
2. Australian Swamp Rat
| Scientific Name | Rattus lutreolus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | around the coast of south and eastern Australia |
The Australian swamp rat (Rattus lutreolus) is a species of rodent that is found in Australia and New Guinea. This animal has a similar body shape to the gopher, and it also digs extensive burrows underground.
The Australian swamp rat is a brown or black color, and it has a white belly. This animal is an omnivore, and it feeds on a variety of plant and animal matter.
3. Beavers
| Scientific Name | Castor canadensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout North America with the exception of the California and Nevada deserts and parts of Utah and Arizona |
Beavers are large rodents that are found in North America. They have long, thick bodies and short legs, and their fur is brown or black. Beavers build dams and lodges out of branches and mud, and they live in colonies. Beavers are herbivores, and their diet consists mainly of bark, leaves, and aquatic plants.
Beavers and gophers are both rodents, and they have similar body shapes and fur colors. However, beavers are much larger than gophers, and they live in water instead of underground. Beavers also build dams and lodges, whereas gophers simply dig burrows.
4. Black Rat
| Scientific Name | Rattus rattus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | primarily around human habitations, mainly in coastal areas from Massachusetts to British Columbia and throughout much of Mexico |
The black rat is a rodent that is found in Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe. It is similar to the gopher in that it has a long body and short legs. However, the black rat’s fur is black or brown, and it does not build extensive burrows.
5. Blesmols
| Scientific Name | Bathyergidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | arid regions south of the Sahara (desert) |
Blesmols are rodents that are found in South America. They have long bodies and short legs, and their fur is typically brown or black. Blesmols are burrowing animals, and they build extensive tunnel systems underground. These tunnel systems can be up to six feet deep and several hundred yards long.
Blesmols are generally solitary creatures, but they will sometimes share their burrows with other blesmols. Blesmols are herbivores, and their diet consists mainly of roots, bark, and leaves.
6. Blue-Gray Mouse
| Scientific Name | Pseudomys glaucus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Eastern Australia |
The blue-gray mouse is a small rodent that is found in North America. It has gray or blue fur, and it is smaller than a gopher. The blue-gray mouse is a scavenger, and it will eat just about anything.
7. Brown Rat
| Scientific Name | Rattus norvegicus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | every continent except Antarctica |
The brown rat is a common rodent that is found in many parts of the world, including North America. Brown rats are typically larger than gophers, and they have long tails. Their fur is brown or black, and their diet consists mainly of plants and other small animals.
8. Bush Rat
| Scientific Name | Rattus fuscipes |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | in Australasia |
This rodent is found in Africa and Asia, and it is a member of the Muridae family. Bush rats are small animals, with bodies that are typically around six inches long. They have brown or black fur, and their tails are relatively short. Bush rats are burrowing animals, and they build extensive tunnel systems underground.
9. Bushy-Tailed Woodrat
| Scientific Name | Neotoma cinerea |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | western North America, ranging from arctic Canada to northern New Mexico and Arizona |
The bushy-tailed woodrat is a rodent that is found in North America. It has a body that is similar in size and shape to a gopher, but its fur is gray or brown. The bushy-tailed woodrat is a proficient climber, and it often builds its nests in trees.
10. Capybaras
| Scientific Name | Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Northeast Argentina, and Uruguay |
Capybaras are large rodents that are found in South America. They have stout bodies and short legs, and their fur is usually brown or reddish-brown. Capybaras are semi-aquatic animals, and they spend a lot of time in the water. They are also known to dig burrows, but their tunnel systems are not as extensive as those of gophers.
11. Chinchillas
| Scientific Name | Chinchilla |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | on the rocky slopes of the Andes Mountains at elevations between 9 and 15 thousand feet |
Chinchillas are small rodents that are found in South America. They have thick fur that is typically gray or brown in color. Chinchillas are arboreal animals, meaning that they live in trees. They build nests out of twigs and leaves, and they eat mainly insects.
12. Chipmunks
| Scientific Name | Tamias, Eutamias, and Neotamias |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada to Mexico |
Chipmunks are small, striped squirrels that are found in North America. They have reddish-brown fur and white stripes running down their backs. Chipmunks are very similar in appearance to gophers, but they are usually smaller and have longer tails.
13. Deer Mouse
| Scientific Name | Peromyscus maniculatus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | alpine habitats, northern boreal forest, desert, grassland, brushland, agricultural fields, southern montane woodland, and dry upper tropical habitats |
The deer mouse is a small rodent that is found in North America. It has a reddish-brown coat of fur, and its body is similar in shape to that of a gopher. Deer mice are also burrowing animals, and they build extensive tunnel systems underground.
14. Eurasian Harvest Mouse
| Scientific Name | Micromys minutus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Europe and Asia |
This mouse is found in Europe and Asia, and it has a similar body shape to the gopher. The Eurasian harvest mouse is also a burrowing animal, and it builds its nest out of grass and leaves.
The main difference between the Eurasian harvest mouse and the gopher is that the former has a much shorter tail.
15. Groundhogs
| Scientific Name | Marmota monax |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America, from Canada down to the southern United States |
Groundhogs (Marmota monax), also known as woodchucks, are members of the squirrel family. They are found in North America, and they are closely related to chipmunks and marmots.
Groundhogs are approximately the same size as gophers, and they have similar body shapes. Their fur is usually brown or reddish-brown, and they have white patches on their faces. Groundhogs are also burrowing animals, and they build complex tunnel systems underground.
16. Gundis
| Scientific Name | Ctenodactylidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Northern Africa |
Gundis are small, rodent-like creatures that are found in Africa and Asia. They have short legs and long bodies, and their fur is typically brown or black.
17. House Mouse
| Scientific Name | Mus musculus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout the world including Australia and the Oceanic Islands |
The house mouse is a small mammal that is found in homes all over the world. It has a long body and short legs, and its fur is typically brown or black. House mice are omnivorous, and their diet consists of both plant and animal matter.
18. Hutias
| Scientific Name | Capromyinae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Turks and Caicos Islands |
Hutias are rodents that are found in the Caribbean. They have bodies that are similar in size and shape to gophers, and they also have short legs and fur that is typically brown or black.
19. Lemmings
| Scientific Name | Lemmini |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout temperate and polar regions of North America and Eurasia |
These small rodents are found in the tundra regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Like gophers, they have short legs and furry coats. Lemmings are also known for their migratory habits, as they will travel long distances in search of food.
20. Pacas
| Scientific Name | Cuniculus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | eastern Mexico to northern Argentina and northern Uruguay |
Pacas are rodents that are found in South America. They have long, cylindrical bodies and their fur is typically brown or black. Pacas live in burrows, and they are known to be good swimmers.
Pacas are herbivores, and their diet consists of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
21. Palm Rat
| Scientific Name | Rattus palmarum |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
The palm rat is a species of gopher that is found in Central and South America. They are similar in appearance to gophers, but their fur is typically gray or brown. Palm rats build burrows in the ground, and they are also known to climb trees.
22. Pilliga Mouse
| Scientific Name | Pseudomys pilligaensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | New South Wales, Australia |
The Pilliga Mouse (Pseudomys pilligaensis) is a species of rodent that is found in Australia. It has a body that is similar in shape to a gopher, and it also has short legs and fur that is typically brown or black.
The Pilliga Mouse is a burrowing creature, and it creates tunnels that are similar to those of the gopher. These tunnels can be up to six feet deep and several hundred yards long.
23. Porcupine
| Scientific Name | Erethizon dorsatum |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada, the northeastern and western regions of the United States, and northern Mexico |
The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is a large rodent with black and white fur. It is found in forests throughout the United States and Canada. Porcupines are considerably larger than gophers, weighing up to 35 pounds. They also have quills on their back which gophers lack.
Related Article: 35 Animals that Look Like Porcupines
24. Prairie Dogs
| Scientific Name | Cynomys |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | on the Great Plains east of the Rocky Mountains from Saskatchewan to Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico |
Prairie dogs are a type of ground squirrel that is found in North America. They are similar in appearance to gophers, but they have longer legs and tails. Prairie dogs live in social groups, and their burrows can be quite elaborate.
25. Sheath-Tailed Mouse
| Scientific Name | Mus fragilicauda |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | central Thailand and Laos |
The sheath-tailed mouse is a small rodent that is found in North America. It has a long body and short legs, and its fur is brown or black.
The sheath-tailed mouse is similar to the gopher in appearance, but it is not a true gopher.
26. Squirrels
| Scientific Name | Sciuridae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | almost every habitat, from tropical rainforest to semiarid desert |
Some species of squirrels have body shapes and sizes that are similar to gophers. They also have short legs and long bodies. However, squirrels typically have bushy tails, while gophers do not.
27. Striped Field Mouse
| Scientific Name | Apodemus agrarius |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the edges of woodlands, grasslands and marshes, pastures and gardens, and urban areas |
The striped field mouse is a small rodent that is found in North America. It has a brown or black body with white stripes running down its back. This mouse is similar in size and appearance to a gopher, but it does not have the same burrowing habits.
28. Voles
| Scientific Name | Microtus arvalis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America range from Alaska southward to the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala |
Voles are small, mouse-like creatures that are found in Europe, Asia, and North America. They have short legs and bodies, and their fur is typically brown or black. Like gophers, voles dig extensive tunnel systems underground.
However, voles are not as shy as gophers and will often be seen above ground foraging for food.
29. Western Harvest Mouse
| Scientific Name | Reithrodontomys megalotis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Santa Cruz, Santa Catalina, and San Clemente Islands |
The Western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) is a small rodent that is found in parts of the western United States and Mexico. These mice are brown or grey in color, and they have white bellies. They are typically between five and seven inches long, including their tail.
30. White-Footed Mouse
| Scientific Name | Peromyscus leucopus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout most of the eastern United States |
The white-footed mouse is a small rodent that is found in North America. It has a reddish-brown fur, and its belly is white. This mouse is similar in size to a gopher, and it also has short legs and a long body.
The white-footed mouse is an omnivore, and its diet consists of seeds, insects, and fruits.
Conclusion
There are many animals that look like gophers, but some of the most common ones include groundhogs, prairie dogs, and marmots. While they may share some similarities in appearance, each of these animals has its own unique characteristics and habits.
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