Are There Gophers in Arkansas?
Gophers are absent or extremely rare in Arkansas. The eastern pocket gopher's range historically extended to parts of western Arkansas and the Ozark region, but populations are now largely gone or so localized that sightings are exceptionally rare. Arkansas wildlife agencies do not currently track established gopher populations within the state.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Northern California pocket gopher · John Rosford CC BY
Megascapheus bottae bottae · Henrik Kibak CC BY
Northern Pocket Gopher · Public domain CC0
- 155
- GBIF records
Yes, gophers are in Arkansas. Next you'll want:
Gophers are absent or extremely rare in Arkansas. The eastern pocket gopher's range historically extended to parts of western Arkansas and the Ozark region, but populations are now largely gone or so localized that sightings are exceptionally rare. Arkansas wildlife agencies do not currently track established gopher populations within the state.
Gopher Distribution in Arkansas
Gophers are not established in Arkansas today. While the eastern pocket gopher's historical range may have touched the northwestern corner of the state in the Ozark region, current populations in Arkansas, if they exist at all, are either extinct or so rare that they have not been documented by wildlife agencies. The state's landscape is dominated by deciduous and pine forests, river valleys, and agricultural areas that do not provide ideal gopher habitat. Arkansas's soils, particularly in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and Ozark Plateau, do not consistently match the soil types that pocket gophers prefer. The state's climate and vegetation patterns are more suited to other burrowing rodents such as moles and voles. If gophers ever did inhabit small areas of northwestern Arkansas, those populations have likely disappeared due to habitat loss and land-use changes. Modern wildlife surveys and monitoring conducted by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission do not identify gophers as present in the state. You can explore/wildlife/arkansasto learn about the actual burrowing animals that do inhabit Arkansas.
Seasonal Patterns and Activity Cycles
Since gophers are not established in Arkansas, there is no seasonal activity pattern specific to gophers to describe. However, other burrowing rodents in Arkansas follow seasonal cycles influenced by soil conditions, temperature, and food availability. Moles in Arkansas are active year-round but increase mounding activity in spring and fall when soil moisture is optimal. Voles, which are also present throughout the state, are most active in fall and winter when they create runway systems through vegetation. Understanding Arkansas's actual burrowing rodents and their seasonal patterns can help prevent confusion with gophers. If you travel to states where gophers do occur, their activity increases in spring and early summer when they expand their tunnel systems and become most visible. Learning about/wildlife/arkansas/gopherand comparing it to Arkansas's true burrowing animals enhances your knowledge of regional wildlife ecology and distribution patterns.
How to Identify Pocket Gophers
Pocket gophers are medium-sized rodents, typically 5 to 8 inches long with stocky, barrel-shaped bodies perfectly adapted for underground life. They have small eyes and ears, reflecting their subterranean habits, and very short tails. The most distinctive features are their large, external cheek pouches that give them their common name. These pouches are lined with fur and extend from their mouths, used to carry food and nesting material. Gophers have prominent front teeth and large claws on their forelimbs, specialized for digging through soil. Their fur is typically brown to gray, sometimes with lighter patches. Gophers are often confused with other burrowing rodents, but the combination of external cheek pouches, large claws, prominent teeth, and stocky build makes them distinctive. If you encounter a burrowing rodent in Arkansas and suspect it might be a gopher, the presence of external cheek pouches is the key identifying feature to look for, though this is unlikely given that gophers do not inhabit the state. For more on gopher in Arkansas, see ourArkansas gopher guide.
Where Gophers Would Concentrate in Arkansas
Gophers are not found in Arkansas, so there are no geographic concentrations or hotspots to describe. However, if gophers did occur in the state, they would most likely be found in northwestern Arkansas in the Ozark region, where soils are deeper and more suitable for burrowing. The Ozark Plateau's higher elevations and different soil composition would theoretically provide better habitat than the flat, clayey soils of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The Buffalo National River area and parts of the Boston Mountains might support gopher habitat if populations existed. However, even these areas do not have established gopher populations today. The forests and agricultural landscapes of Arkansas are instead home to moles, which create visible ridged runways, and voles, which create surface runway patterns and shallow burrows. Visiting/wildlifeto explore detailed information about Arkansas's ecosystems will help you understand why certain animals thrive in different regions of the state and why gophers are not among them.
Typical Gopher Behavior and Ecology
Pocket gophers are solitary, territorial rodents that spend virtually their entire lives underground in extensive tunnel systems. A single gopher may maintain a burrow network covering one-half acre or more, with multiple specialized chambers for sleeping, nesting, and food storage. Gophers are herbivorous, feeding on roots, tubers, bulbs, grasses, and other plant material. They pull plants down into their tunnels from below, feeding without fully emerging aboveground. This feeding behavior can damage gardens and agricultural crops. Gophers are most active at dawn and dusk but may work throughout the day depending on soil conditions and weather. They have poor eyesight but excellent senses of smell and touch to navigate their dark burrows. Gophers are intolerant of other gophers except during the brief breeding season in spring. They create conspicuous mounds of soil as they excavate, with each mound marking tunnel work. Female gophers produce one litter per year in most regions, typically in spring or early summer. You can also browseArkansas wildlife.
Coexistence and Legal Considerations
Since gophers do not inhabit Arkansas, there are no state-specific gopher regulations or protections applicable within the state. However, Arkansas does protect native wildlife through its general wildlife statutes. If you need to manage burrowing animals on your Arkansas property, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission provides guidance on legal and humane control methods. Most burrowing rodent problems in Arkansas involve moles or voles rather than gophers. Exclusion fencing can protect specific garden areas from damage. Live trapping and relocation, along with habitat modification to discourage burrowing animals, are the most humane approaches. Lethal control methods are available if other measures fail, but these should be considered a last resort. Burrowing animals in Arkansas's natural ecosystems provide ecological benefits by aerating soil and controlling plant populations. In gardens and agricultural settings, coexistence with occasional moles or voles is often the most practical solution. Understanding which species is present helps you choose the most effective management strategy.
Species People Confuse With Gophers in Arkansas
The most likely misidentification of a gopher in Arkansas would be the eastern mole, a stockier burrower with powerful forelimbs and a distinctive nearly hairless snout. Hairy-tailed moles and star-nosed moles also occur in Arkansas and might be mistaken for gophers by those unfamiliar with the species. Meadow voles and pine voles create surface runs and shallow tunnels that might be confused with gopher activity, though they are much smaller than gophers. Eastern chipmunks occasionally burrow and might be mistaken for gophers by people unfamiliar with both species. Groundhogs, though not common in Arkansas, are much larger than gophers and look distinctly different. By consulting/wildlife/arkansasand learning about all of Arkansas's burrowing animals, you can accurately identify any tunneling or burrowing you encounter. Understanding the characteristics of Arkansas's actual burrowing rodents allows you to identify which species is present and take appropriate management actions if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any gophers in Arkansas? No, gophers are not established in Arkansas. While the eastern pocket gopher's range may have historically extended to northwestern Arkansas, populations do not currently exist in the state. If you suspect you have seen a gopher, it is almost certainly a mole, vole, or other burrowing rodent. Could gophers move into Arkansas from neighboring states? Gopher range expansion is unlikely given that populations in neighboring states are also limited or declining. Habitat conditions in Arkansas do not actively support gopher colonization. What burrowing rodents actually live in Arkansas? Eastern moles, star-nosed moles, hairy-tailed moles, meadow voles, and pine voles are the primary burrowing rodents in Arkansas. Each has distinct characteristics and habitat preferences. How can I tell if my lawn damage is from a gopher or a mole? Moles create characteristic surface ridges and deep burrows, while gophers create mounds and feed on plant roots. Since gophers are absent from Arkansas, mole damage is the most likely cause of burrowing issues in the state.
Plan your gopher sighting in Arkansas
155 verified gopher records have been logged in Arkansas, most recently in 2025. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Arkansas
- Arkansas Post National Memorial · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Buffalo National River · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Hot Springs National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Pea Ridge National Military Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail · Find hotels
- Fort Smith National Historic Site · Find hotels
More places to see gopher
More wildlife in Arkansas