Gophers, also known as pocket gophers for their fur-lined cheek pouches, are burrowing rodents that live throughout much of North America. Here are some of their behaviors and habits:
1. **Burrowing**: Gophers are excellent diggers. They live in complex tunnel systems that can cover an area of up to 2,000 square feet. These tunnels are used for foraging, nesting, and storing food.
2. **Solitary Living**: Gophers are solitary animals, except during breeding season. Each gopher inhabits its own burrow system.
3. **Diet**: Gophers are herbivores. They eat a variety of vegetation, including roots, shrubs, grasses, and vegetables. They often pull plants into the ground from below.
4. **Activity Time**: Gophers are active year-round, but they are most active during the spring and fall when the soil is easiest to dig in. They are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day.
5. **Breeding**: Gophers breed once or twice a year, usually in the spring. Females give birth to three or four young per litter after a gestation period of about three weeks.
6. **Predator Evasion**: Gophers have several ways to avoid predators. Their burrows have multiple entrances and exits. They can seal off parts of their burrow to hide from predators, and they can even fill their cheek pouches with soil and use them as plugs to block tunnels.
7. **Communication**: Gophers communicate through a series of low-pitched sounds and through scent glands. They are territorial and will defend their burrow system from other gophers.
8. **Lifespan**: In the wild, gophers typically live up to three years. In captivity, they can live up to five years.
Gophers are often seen as pests due to the damage they can cause to gardens, lawns and crops.
Gophers are extremely difficult to eliminate without professional help. It is also important to choose a gopher control company in Utah that uses the very best gopher control techniques. Also that is safe for the environment.
Utah Gopher Control is that company.
Please contact the today with any questions or to set up an appointment.
Visit their website at: utahgophercontrol.com
or call 801-639-9484
