Quick Answer
In Arizona, the most common yard diggers are round-tailed ground squirrels, rock squirrels, javelina (collared peccary), skunks, and pack rats. Ground squirrels create extensive burrow systems with multiple entrances. Javelina root up entire sections of lawn and landscaping. Pack rats build visible nests and burrows near structures.
Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Arizona
Arizona's arid landscape — from the Sonoran Desert lowlands to the Mogollon Rim high country — hosts a unique set of burrowing animals that cause yard damage. Unlike the moist-soil diggers of the Southeast, Arizona's digging wildlife is adapted to hard, caliche-rich soils and often creates extensive underground burrow systems designed for temperature regulation (escaping 110°F+ surface heat).
This guide covers the animals most commonly responsible for yard holes, burrows, and rooting damage in Arizona yards, drawing from Arizona Game and Fish Department data, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension publications, and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services records.
Arizona Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table
| Animal | Hole Size & Shape | Depth | Damage Pattern | Arizona Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round-tailed Ground Squirrel | 2-3 inch round entrance | 3-6 feet deep | Multiple entrances; fan-shaped dirt apron; chewed irrigation lines | Southern and western AZ; common in Phoenix and Tucson |
| Rock Squirrel | 3-4 inch entrance | 4-8 feet deep | Burrows under rocks, walls, foundations; large mounds of excavated soil | Statewide; most common in rocky terrain |
| Javelina | Rooted-up turf, 6-12 inch patches | 2-4 inches (surface rooting) | Sod torn up in large irregular patches; prickly pear cactus eaten | Central and southern AZ below 6,000 ft |
| Striped Skunk | Conical, 3-4 inch diameter | 2-4 inches (foraging); deeper for dens | Scattered conical holes; often near structures | Statewide |
| White-throated Pack Rat | 1.5-2 inch entrance | Shallow to 3 feet | Visible nests (cactus/debris piles); burrows under cholla or prickly pear | Statewide in desert habitats |
| Pocket Gopher | Fan-shaped dirt mound; plugged entrance | 6-12 inches (feeding tunnels); deeper nests | Crescent-shaped mounds of fine soil; plugged holes; killed plants | Statewide where soil allows |
| Coyote | 8-12 inch burrow entrance | 3-6 feet deep | Large den hole in embankment or wash bank; bone/fur debris near entrance | Statewide |
Ground Squirrels: Arizona's Most Destructive Diggers
Arizona is home to multiple ground squirrel species, but two cause the majority of urban yard damage: the round-tailed ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus) and the rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus).
Round-tailed Ground Squirrels
These small, tan-colored squirrels are the most common cause of burrow-related yard damage in Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma. They create extensive underground burrow systems with 5-20 entrance holes across a single yard. Each burrow entrance is 2-3 inches in diameter with a distinctive fan-shaped apron of excavated dirt on one side. The burrows can undermine sidewalks, patios, and retaining walls over time. They are active year-round in southern Arizona and do not hibernate.
Rock Squirrels
Larger than round-tailed ground squirrels, rock squirrels create bigger, more destructive burrows. Their entrances are 3-4 inches wide, often located under large rocks, concrete slabs, or building foundations. A single rock squirrel colony (5-15 individuals) can excavate several cubic yards of soil over a season, causing foundation settlement issues. Rock squirrels are also known to chew through irrigation drip lines and electrical wiring.
Javelina: The Yard Rooters
Javelina (Tayassu tajacu), also called collared peccary, look like wild pigs but are not true pigs. They travel in herds of 6-20 and can destroy an entire landscaped yard in a single night by rooting for roots, tubers, and grubs. Unlike ground squirrels, javelina do not create holes or burrows — they tear up the surface, peeling back sod and mulch in search of food. Prickly pear cactus, agave, and other succulents are among their preferred foods, and they will eat entire landscaping plants down to the root.
Javelina Damage vs Ground Squirrel Damage
| Feature | Javelina | Ground Squirrel |
|---|---|---|
| Damage type | Surface rooting — sod torn up in patches | Burrow holes with dirt mounds |
| Time of day | Dawn, dusk, and night | Daytime (diurnal) |
| Group size | Herds of 6-20 | Colonies of 5-50 |
| Key food source | Cactus, agave, roots, landscaping plants | Seeds, grass, irrigation water |
| Tracks | Two-toed hooves, 2-3 inches | Four-toed, 1-1.5 inches |
Pocket Gophers in Arizona
Pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae) are present throughout Arizona wherever soil is sufficiently loose to dig. Unlike ground squirrels, pocket gophers rarely leave visible entrance holes — instead, they push excavated soil to the surface in fan-shaped mounds and then plug the hole behind them. A single gopher can create 1-5 mounds per day. Their feeding tunnels are 6-12 inches below the surface, and they kill plants by eating the roots. In Arizona, gopher activity peaks in spring and fall when soil temperatures are moderate.
Seasonal Digging Patterns in Arizona
| Season | Most Active Diggers | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar-May) | Ground squirrels, pocket gophers, javelina | Breeding season; soil moist from winter rains; new plant growth attracts javelina |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Ground squirrels, pack rats | Active early morning and evening to avoid heat; monsoon rains soften soil |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Javelina, skunks, pack rats | Foraging for fall fruit and cactus; building winter nests |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Ground squirrels (reduced), skunks | Cool-season activity at lower elevations; snow limits digging at high elevations |
How to Stop Animals from Digging in Your Arizona Yard
1. Ground Squirrel Control
- Exclusion: 1/4-inch hardware cloth buried 18 inches deep with an L-shaped footer
- Habitat modification: Remove brush piles and seed sources; cap irrigation lines
- Flood irrigation: Where available, flood irrigation can collapse burrow systems temporarily (but squirrels will dig new ones)
2. Javelina Deterrence
- Fencing: 4-foot minimum, with the bottom 12-18 inches buried. Javelina cannot jump high but are strong diggers
- Plant selection: Replace prickly pear and agave with javelina-resistant plants (lantana, rosemary, Texas sage, oleander)
- Motion-activated sprinklers: Effective deterrent; javelina dislike sudden water spray
3. Pocket Gopher Management
- Trapping: Most effective method. Use Macabee or Cinch traps in main tunnels (not lateral feeding tunnels)
- Underground fencing: 1/4-inch hardware cloth buried 24 inches around garden beds
Arizona-Specific Regulations
- Ground squirrels: Classified as nongame mammals. Can be controlled on private property without a permit. Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) recommends lethal methods over relocation.
- Javelina: Classified as big game animals. A hunting license is required to take javelina, even on private property during depredation. Contact AZGFD for a depredation permit before taking any action against javelina. It is illegal to trap and relocate javelina.
- Pocket gophers: No protection. Can be controlled on private property without a permit.
- Pack rats: No protection. Can be trapped and removed without a permit.
FAQ: Arizona Yard Digging
Are ground squirrels protected in Arizona?
No. Round-tailed ground squirrels and rock squirrels are classified as nongame mammals by AZGFD and can be controlled on private property without a permit. However, other Arizona ground squirrel species (Harris' antelope squirrel, Mohave ground squirrel) have different protections — verify the specific species before taking action.
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Can I shoot javelina on my property?
Only with a valid Arizona hunting license and during the legal javelina season, OR with a depredation permit issued by AZGFD. Javelina are classified as big game animals under Arizona law (ARS Title 17) and are protected outside of regulated seasons. Contact your local AZGFD regional office for a depredation evaluation.
What is making crescent-shaped dirt mounds in my yard?
Crescent-shaped mounds with a plugged entrance hole are the characteristic sign of pocket gophers. Unlike ground squirrels, gophers plug their burrow entrances to maintain stable temperature and humidity. The mound shape is the key diagnostic feature — gopher mounds are fan-shaped; ground squirrel holes are open circles with dirt on one side.
How do I tell pack rat damage from ground squirrel damage?
Pack rats (white-throated woodrats) create visible nests — large piles of cactus joints, sticks, and debris, often built around the base of a cholla or prickly pear cactus. Ground squirrels create simple burrow entrances with no above-ground nest structure. If you see a messy pile of debris with a burrow entrance underneath, it is a pack rat. If you see clean, open holes with dirt aprons, it is a ground squirrel.
Sources: Arizona Game and Fish Department, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice. Always verify current regulations with AZGFD before taking wildlife control action.