Are There Gophers in Wyoming?
Yes, pocket gophers are widespread and common throughout Wyoming in suitable habitats. Multiple gopher species occupy the state, from the high mountain valleys and basins of the Rocky Mountains to the grasslands and agricultural areas of the Great Plains and intermountain region. Spring mounding activity makes them noticeable statewide.
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
- 7,203
- GBIF records
Yes, gophers are in Wyoming. Next you'll want:
Yes, pocket gophers are widespread and common throughout Wyoming in suitable habitats. Multiple gopher species occupy the state, from the high mountain valleys and basins of the Rocky Mountains to the grasslands and agricultural areas of the Great Plains and intermountain region. Spring mounding activity makes them noticeable statewide.
Where Gophers Are Found Throughout Wyoming
Gophers inhabit nearly all of Wyoming, with presence strongest in areas offering suitable soils and vegetation. In the northern mountains, pocket gophers are common in the Bighorn Mountains, the Beartooth Range foothills, and mountain valleys around Sheridan and Buffalo. The Absaroka Mountains and surrounding basins east of Yellowstone support strong populations. The Jackson Hole valley and surrounding mountain areas host multiple gopher species. The Wind River Mountains and the Great Divide Basin support populations across their mountain valleys and intermountain grasslands. In central Wyoming, the Sweetwater County region and the Rawlins area provide ideal habitat. The Laramie Mountains and Laramie Basin support active populations. The high plains of eastern Wyoming, including areas near Gillette, Casper, and Cheyenne, contain significant gopher numbers in grasslands and agricultural regions. The Bighorn Basin in northwestern Wyoming provides core habitat. Gophers are present in the intermountain valleys and basins throughout the state, following riparian corridors and areas with reliable moisture. They occupy cultivated fields, rangelands, and mountain meadows. Gophers are sparse or absent in the highest, most exposed alpine zones, the driest portions of the Great Divide Desert, and areas with extremely rocky or hard-packed soil.
Season and Activity Timing in Wyoming
Wyoming gophers show seasonal activity patterns driven by soil temperature and moisture availability. Spring represents peak activity, beginning in March at lower elevations and extending into April and May as higher areas warm. Spring warming triggers extensive tunneling and mound-building visible throughout Wyoming's ranches, gardens, and fields. Mountain populations experience this spring activity surge later than plains populations due to delayed snowmelt. Late spring and early summer (May and June) maintain high activity levels as gophers establish territories and juveniles grow in burrows. Midsummer in high elevations and arid regions brings reduced surface activity as soil dries. Late summer and early fall (August and September) bring dispersal of young gophers and renewed tunneling activity. Fall activity continues through October in most areas. Winter brings reduced but continuous activity in deeper burrows beneath snow and frozen soil, with some surface mounding on warm days in mild areas. In Wyoming's high mountains, winter dormancy is not hibernation but rather reduced activity and reliance on stored food. No migration occurs; Wyoming gophers remain territorial and resident year-round, adjusting burrow depth based on seasonal changes.
How to Identify Wyoming Gophers
Wyoming pocket gophers are compact burrowing rodents typically 5 to 8 inches in body length, depending on species. The tail is short and nearly naked, measuring only 1 to 1.5 inches. Coloration varies among Wyoming's multiple gopher species, ranging from light tan and yellowish-brown to dark brown and reddish tones. Some populations show bicolored pelage. The most distinctive feature is the pair of large external cheek pouches extending backward from the mouth, used for transporting food, nesting material, and soil. Gophers have small, dark eyes, small rounded ears nearly covered by fur, and powerful front limbs with long, strong digging claws. The front feet are turned outward and larger than the hind feet. The incisors are large and continuously growing. The body is strong and compact. Fur texture is soft and dense. The visible evidence of gophers is more recognizable than the animal itself. Characteristic volcano-shaped or horseshoe-shaped soil mounds, typically 3 to 6 inches high, represent the most obvious sign. Fresh mounds contain loose, crumbly soil; old mounds become weathered and compacted.
Where Wyoming Gopher Sightings Concentrate
Gophers concentrate in areas with suitable soil texture, moisture availability, and vegetation abundance. Agricultural fields throughout Wyoming, particularly alfalfa hay fields in the Bighorn Basin, the Powder River Basin, and other valleys, support the highest gopher densities. Irrigated pastures across all Wyoming agricultural regions attract significant populations. Private gardens and landscaped yards in Wyoming towns and ranch areas show active tunneling. Orchards in the major agricultural regions, particularly around Powell and Cody in the Bighorn Basin, experience regular gopher activity. Golf courses, cemeteries, and public parks in Wyoming's towns, especially Sheridan, Casper, Cheyenne, and Laramie, frequently host colonies. Roadside areas and embankments with well-drained soils provide ideal habitat. In natural settings, gophers concentrate in moist mountain meadows and grassland openings within the Bighorn, Absaroka, and Wind River Mountain systems. The intermountain grasslands and basins, including the Jackson Hole valley floor and the Bighorn Basin grasslands, support wild populations. Riparian zones along the North Platte River, the Powder River, and other major drainages concentrate gophers. Gophers avoid the highest alpine zones, the extreme deserts with minimal vegetation, and areas where bedrock lies near the surface.
Typical Gopher Behavior and Lifestyle
Wyoming gophers are solitary, highly territorial rodents spending virtually their entire lives underground in complex burrow systems. Each adult maintains a territory with 200 to 300 feet of burrows, multiple tunnels at various depths, storage chambers, and numerous entrance holes. Gophers are herbivorous, feeding on roots, tubers, bulbs, and seeds. In gardens and cultivated fields, they consume alfalfa, clover, carrots, potatoes, and legumes. In natural settings, they eat roots and tubers of native grasses and forbs, seeds, bulbs, and oak seedlings. Gophers harvest vegetation by pulling plants into their burrows from below and consuming them underground. They are active primarily during daylight hours but can be active at any time. Gophers do not hibernate despite Wyoming's harsh winters. They remain active in deeper burrows, feeding on cached roots and stored vegetation. Gophers breed in spring, with females producing typically one litter of 3 to 5 young per year. Young emerge from burrows at about six weeks old and disperse to establish territories. This summer dispersal period causes population increases in new areas. Gophers are largely silent except during territorial confrontations but communicate through tunnel vibrations and scent marking.
Coexistence and Management Approaches
Gophers pose no direct threat to Wyoming residents or livestock. They do not transmit rabies or other serious diseases and avoid confrontation with people by remaining underground. Defensive bites are rare and require direct handling. The primary concern for Wyoming property owners is tunneling damage to gardens, lawns, and agricultural fields. Wyoming residents have multiple legal management options available. Trapping is the most effective method, using snap traps or specialized gopher traps set in active tunnels. Placement in fresh mounds indicates actively used tunnels. Burrow fumigation with approved products is legal and effective across Wyoming. Exclusion fencing protects high-value garden areas. Some ranch and agricultural operations accept gopher activity as part of managing land in its natural state. Gophers provide ecological benefits by aerating soil, improving water infiltration, and creating habitat for other species. Their tunnels are used by smaller mammals and invertebrates. Wyoming's Game and Fish Department provides guidance on legal and humane management. Understanding coexistence strategies allows Wyoming residents to manage conflicts while respecting wildlife. For information on wildlife management, visit theWyoming wildlife hubor thegopher guide.
Species Often Confused With Gophers in Wyoming
Several Wyoming animals are sometimes mistaken for gophers by people unfamiliar with the state's wildlife. Ground squirrels, particularly the Wyoming ground squirrel and other species, live in similar habitats and create burrows with visible mounds. However, ground squirrels are far more visible, active above ground during the day, and often seen standing upright on their hind legs. They lack external cheek pouches and have visible ears. They are vocal, with distinctive alarm calls and chirps. Marmots, including yellow-bellied marmots and hoary marmots in mountain areas, are much larger than gophers, weighing 2 to 8 pounds. Chipmunks present in Wyoming mountains are smaller, striped, and prefer rocky terrain. Voles create runway systems and subsurface tunnels but produce no characteristic mounds and leave narrow trails rather than volcano-shaped soil piles. Prairie dogs, found in parts of southeastern Wyoming, are much larger than gophers and live in colonial burrow systems with multiple residents per burrow. The gopher's distinctive volcano-shaped mound, combined with the animal's secretive, solitary nature and total absence of visible surface activity, distinguishes them from all other Wyoming burrowing mammals. For identification assistance, visit theWyoming wildlife page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wyoming Gophers
Q: How many gopher species occur in Wyoming? A: Multiple species inhabit Wyoming, including the Northern pocket gopher and the Wyoming pocket gopher, plus several others. Specific species vary by region and elevation. Q: When is the best time to trap gophers in Wyoming? A: Spring and early summer are most productive, coinciding with peak activity and visible fresh mounding. Spring trapping often catches young dispersing gophers in summer. Q: Do Wyoming gophers damage crops and hay fields? A: Yes, gophers damage alfalfa and hay fields significantly, consuming vegetation and creating subsidence that interferes with harvest equipment. Losses can be substantial on affected acres. Q: Can gophers survive Wyoming winters in above-ground burrows? A: Gophers burrow deeper below the frost line before winter and remain active underground throughout Wyoming winters, feeding on stored roots and tubers. For more information on Wyoming wildlife, visit theWyoming wildlife resourceor explore thenational wildlife hub.
Plan your gopher sighting in Wyoming
7,203 verified gopher records have been logged in Wyoming, most recently in 2025. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Wyoming
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Devils Tower National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
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- Grand Teton National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Yellowstone National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- California National Historic Trail · Find hotels
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