Are There Gophers in Vermont?
No, pocket gophers do not naturally occur in Vermont. The state lies outside the natural geographic range of all North American pocket gopher species. This is reassuring for gardeners who worry about burrowing rodents. However, Vermont does have other burrowing mammals that sometimes cause similar concerns.
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
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- GBIF records
Gophers aren't established in Vermont, so you might be wondering:
No, pocket gophers do not naturally occur in Vermont. The state lies outside the natural geographic range of all North American pocket gopher species. This is reassuring for gardeners who worry about burrowing rodents. However, Vermont does have other burrowing mammals that sometimes cause similar concerns.
Gopher Range and Why They Are Not in Vermont
Pocket gophers are found primarily in western North America, ranging from Mexico through the central Great Plains to parts of the northern prairie states. Their range extends east only to the Great Plains of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Vermont, located in the northeastern United States in the Green Mountains region, is far beyond the eastern limit of any pocket gopher species. The nearest pocket gophers to Vermont are found over 1,000 miles away in the prairie grasslands of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Vermont's climate, forest composition, and glaciated soils differ significantly from the habitats that pocket gophers prefer. The state's abundant rocky terrain, clay-heavy soils, and extensive tree coverage make Vermont unsuitable for the burrowing lifestyle of pocket gophers. Vermonters can be certain that any mound-building burrowing rodent in their yard is not a gopher, regardless of its size or appearance. This distinction helps landowners identify the actual creature causing damage and select appropriate management strategies.
What Burrowing Rodents Actually Inhabit Vermont
Vermont is home to several burrowing rodents that sometimes cause similar concerns to those associated with pocket gophers in western states. Woodchucks, also called groundhogs, are the most common and visible burrowing mammal in Vermont. They dig extensive burrows in lawns, gardens, and fields, producing distinct mounds similar in appearance to gopher mounds, though generally larger. Voles are small rodents that create shallow runway systems and subsurface tunnels through grass and soil. Moles, though less common in Vermont than in states to the south, do occur in the western parts of the state and create characteristic raised ridges in lawns and garden beds. Shrews are also present but rarely cause landscape damage. All of these species are active throughout the year, though most show peak surface activity in spring and fall. Understanding which burrowing creature is active in a particular yard helps residents choose the right management approach. For wildlife guidance specific to Vermont, consult theVermont wildlife hubor explore thenational wildlife site.
Understanding Woodchucks, Vermont's Burrowing Rodent
Woodchucks are the primary burrowing rodent that Vermont residents encounter, particularly in spring and summer. These rodents are considerably larger than pocket gophers would be, weighing 5 to 14 pounds compared to a gopher's 2 to 3 ounces. Woodchucks have reddish-brown or dark brown fur, small rounded ears, and a stocky body built for digging. Unlike gophers, woodchucks are frequently seen above ground, especially in early morning or late afternoon. They are diurnal and spend much of their active season (April through October) foraging. Woodchucks have a distinctive whistle alarm call, earning them the nickname of whistlepig in some regions. Their burrows, while producing mounds, are usually fewer in number but larger and more defined than those created by pocket gophers. Woodchucks eat plants, garden vegetables, and clover, and they create visible surface holes that are typically 3 to 4 inches in diameter. They are capable diggers but are much more visible and easier to identify than the secretive pocket gophers of western states.
Identifying Moles and Voles in Vermont Yards
Moles occur in western Vermont, particularly in Chittenden County and surrounding regions, where they occasionally create landscape damage. Moles are insectivores, not plant-eaters, and they consume earthworms, grubs, and other soil invertebrates. They create raised tunnels or ridges in lawns rather than distinct mounds. Mole tunnels run just beneath the soil surface and are often visible as raised lines across yards. Their front feet are extremely enlarged and turned outward, adapted for powerful digging. Moles are less common than woodchucks or voles and rarely cause widespread garden damage in Vermont. Voles, by contrast, are very common throughout the state. These small rodents create shallow surface runways through grass and deeper subsurface burrow systems. Vole runways appear as worn-down pathways through vegetation, and their burrows are much narrower than those of woodchucks. Voles clip vegetation neatly, leaving distinctive signs in turf and garden beds. Unlike pocket gophers, voles are active both day and night. Identifying which creature is active helps direct management efforts accurately.
Seasonal Activity and Behavior of Vermont Burrowers
Vermont's burrowing mammals follow distinct seasonal patterns that align with the region's cold winters and variable spring and fall conditions. Woodchucks are the most seasonally variable, entering hibernation in late October and emerging in early spring, typically in February or early March. During their active season, they spend extended time foraging above ground. Voles remain active year-round and may increase their activity in spring when moisture levels support more tunneling. They are particularly active in fall and winter, when they create and use runway systems beneath the snow pack. Moles, where present in Vermont, are most active in spring and fall when soil moisture is optimal for their insect prey. Winter activity slows due to the unavailability of earthworms and grubs in frozen soil. All of these animals are less visible in winter, though their presence and activity continue beneath the snow and frozen ground layers. Spring activity increases across all species as soil warms and becomes more workable. This seasonal rhythm differs from the year-round, consistent burrowing of western pocket gophers.
Managing Burrowing Rodents in Vermont
Property owners in Vermont have several management options for addressing damage from woodchucks, voles, and moles. Woodchuck control includes live trapping, burrow fumigation with approved products, and exclusion fencing. Exclusion is effective because woodchucks are larger and slower diggers than pocket gophers. Many Vermonters accept woodchucks as part of the landscape or use simple barriers to protect vegetable gardens. Vole control is most effective with snap traps set in active runways or with rodent baits in protected stations. Mole management focuses on trapping in active tunnels or reducing grub populations, which removes their food source. Encouraging predators such as owls, hawks, and snakes also helps control rodent populations naturally. No pesticides are required for managing any Vermont burrowing mammal. The Vermont Agency of Fish and Wildlife provides guidance on humane and legal management practices. Learning to coexist with these native animals, while protecting high-value garden areas with barriers or traps, allows both residents and wildlife to thrive in the state.
Eastern Species People Might Confuse With Pocket Gophers
Vermont residents without experience in western states may mistakenly believe they have pocket gophers based on descriptions read online or heard from others. Woodchucks are the primary candidate for confusion, though their larger size and visible daytime activity make them distinguishable upon observation. Moles, with their raised tunnel ridges, can seem gopher-like to unfamiliar observers, but their feeding signs and ridge pattern are distinctly different from gopher mounds. Voles create runway systems and subsurface burrows but produce no mounds and leave characteristic clipped grass at the surface. Star-nosed moles, though famous in popular media, do not occur in Vermont but are found in wetter areas of New York and other northeastern states. They are distinctly different from both pocket gophers and Vermont's common moles. Ground squirrels, chipmunks, and other burrowing rodents do not create mounds similar to those of gophers. The absence of pocket gophers means Vermont residents can rule out that species immediately and focus on the actual burrowers present in the state. For detailed identification help, visit theVermont wildlife hubor thewildlife resource page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Burrowers
Q: Could a pocket gopher have been introduced to Vermont? A: While theoretically possible, this is extremely unlikely. Pocket gophers are solitary and territorial, making escape from captivity rare. No wild populations have established outside their native range in North America. Q: How do I know if I have a mole or a vole? A: Moles create raised ridges in soil and eat grubs; voles create runways and eat plants. Moles have enlarged front feet; voles resemble small mice. Q: What is the best way to exclude woodchucks from my garden? A: Install fencing at least 18 inches above ground and 12 inches below ground, buried at an angle. Hardware cloth works well and is more effective against woodchucks than against pocket gophers. Q: Are Vermont burrowers protected by law? A: Woodchucks and voles are not protected, and lethal management is legal with the appropriate methods. Moles have limited protection; check with the Vermont Agency of Fish and Wildlife for current regulations. VisitVermont's wildlife resourcefor official guidance.
Plan your gopher sighting in Vermont
There are no verified gopher records for Vermont, which fits how uncommon they are here. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Vermont
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- North Country National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
More places to see gopher
More wildlife in Vermont