| What do real gophers even look like? |
By: SAM GETT, Publisher and Editor
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Posted: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 11:36 pm
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I attended a Twins game recently and before our boys dismantled the hated White Sox, fans enjoyed a mascot softball scrimmage between teams coached by TC (the Twins’ bear) and the University of Minnesota’s Goldy Gopher. The one-inning contest ended in a tie, despite numerous errors by whomever had the misfortune of wearing a giant can of Spam. But that’s another story.
Watching Goldy through binoculars from my perch in the cheap seats, I realized I couldn’t recall ever seeing a real gopher — despite living in Minnesota eight years. Or had I?
My next-door neighbors insist those critters burrowing through our back yards are gophers. And they’re not too happy about them. My wife and I occasionally see the rodents nibbling bird seed spilled from our feeder, or hear them rattling around inside aluminum downspouts. But those little guys looked more like chipmunks to us.
A closer look, followed by some online research, revealed they’re striped ground squirrels. One site, however, suggested they’re also called striped gophers. Another Web site said that “in some areas, the name gopher is applied to a variety of mammal species including ground squirrels and moles.” It didn’t identify those areas.
Regardless, these creatures proved too enticing for the dogs two doors down. The smaller dog heard and smelled the rodents near a downspout and started furiously digging. And digging. His larger buddy joined in and by the time my wife looked out the window the smaller dog, well on his way to China, was no longer visible. She made the owners aware and they quickly corralled the two pets and filled in the hole. The striped ground squirrels still show up regularly, although I think my neighbor may have engaged in some “removal tactics” to thin the herd.
On the other hand, gophers, according to the Minnesota Nuisance Wildlife Control agency, spend most of their time underground and are rarely seen. Its Web site identifies two species of gophers in the state: the plains pocket gopher and the northern pocket gopher. Neither looks like the critters scurrying around our back yard.
For that matter, neither looks like Goldy. An online search reveals that the U’s mascot has changed appearance over the years. Until the 1970s, Goldy’s head included a narrow, pointed nose like the real version on the plains pocket species. In 1972, his head changed, becoming wider with chubby cheeks. Some described the mascot during that period as comparable to a teddy bear.
In 1985, the university decided Goldy needed a more menacing look and his appearance got significantly fiercer. Perhaps he scared the kids of an alumni donor, because that makeover didn’t last long. Goldy soon morphed back into a huggable, friendly mascot. To me, he now resembles the puppet used to torment Bill Murray’s character in the classic golf comedy “Caddyshack.”
As for the real thing, the Minnesota Zoo offers no help. They’ve got wolverines, porcupines and a thriving town of really cute prairie dogs. But no gophers — not even along the Minnesota trail.
Then again, the Nuisance and Wildlife Control Web site says gophers can damage turf, destroy plants and dig tunnels that cause driveways to collapse.
I’m glad I haven’t seen one.
— Sam Gett, publisher and editor, can be reached at sgett@northfieldnews.com or 645-1112.
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