Groundhog vs. Gopher: What's the Difference?
Table of Contents
Main Difference
The main difference between Groundhog and Gopher is that the Groundhog is a species of mammal and Gopher is a family of mammals
Groundhog
The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as a woodchuck, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. It was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The groundhog is also referred to as a chuck, wood-shock, groundpig, whistlepig, whistler, thickwood badger, Canada marmot, monax, moonack, weenusk, red monk and, among French Canadians in eastern Canada, siffleux. The name “thickwood badger” was given in the Northwest to distinguish the animal from the prairie badger. Monax (Móonack) is an Algonquian name of the woodchuck, which meant “digger” (cf. Lenape monachgeu). Young groundhogs may be called chucklings. Other marmots, such as the yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the groundhog is a lowland creature. It is found through much of the eastern United States across Canada and into Alaska
Gopher
Pocket gophers, commonly referred to as just gophers, are burrowing rodents of the family Geomyidae. There are about 35 species, all endemic to North and Central America. They are commonly known for their extensive tunneling activities and their ability to destroy farms and gardens.
The name pocket gopher on its own may be used to refer to any of a number of genera within the Geomyidae family. These are the “true” gophers, but several ground squirrels in the distantly related Sciuridae family are often called “gophers”, as well. The origin of the word ‘gopher’ is uncertain; French gaufre, meaning ‘waffle’, has been suggested, on account of the gopher tunnels resembling the honeycomb-like pattern of holes in a waffle; another suggestion is that the word is of Muskogean origin.
Groundhog (noun)
A red-brown marmot, ver=160928, native to North America.
Groundhog (noun)
The aardvark.
Gopher (noun)
A small burrowing rodent, especially in the family Geomyidae.
Gopher (noun)
The gopher tortoise.
Gopher (noun)
The gopher rockfish.
Groundhog (noun)
another term for woodchuck
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