The woodchuck, or groundhog (Marmota monax), is a large North American rodent and the most widely distributed species of marmot. It is a familiar sight in fields, meadows, and woodland edges across its range. It possesses a distinct physical form and set of features that allow for easy identification.
Overall Build and Dimensions
The woodchuck presents a stout and heavy-set appearance, giving it a compact build. Adults typically reach a total length ranging from 16 to 27 inches, including their relatively short tail. This makes it one of the largest members of the squirrel family in North America.
Body weight fluctuates significantly, especially in preparation for hibernation, generally ranging between 4 and 14 pounds. Individuals entering hibernation may reach the higher end of this range due to accumulated fat reserves.
Fur, Color, and Coat
The woodchuck’s coat is dense and coarse. Coloration is not uniform but generally appears as a grizzled brown, often ranging from reddish-brown to grayish-brown across the upper body. This grizzled appearance results from guard hairs frequently tipped with white, buffy yellow, or cinnamon brown, creating a frosted effect over the darker underfur.
The fur on the underside is typically paler, often described as yellowish-orange, buff, or chestnut. Darker variations, including blackish-brown or melanistic individuals, are sometimes observed where the light-colored tips on the guard hairs may be absent or reduced.
Key Identifying Features (Head and Limbs)
The head is broad, short, and somewhat flat, featuring small, rounded ears that are barely visible above the fur. These ears are equipped with flaps that can close, preventing dirt from entering the ear canal while digging. The woodchuck’s dark, large eyes are set high on its head, allowing it to survey its surroundings for danger while exposing minimal body mass near the burrow entrance.
A defining rodent characteristic is the presence of prominent, chisel-like incisor teeth, which are continually growing. Unlike many other rodents, the incisors are typically white to ivory-white. The limbs are short and powerful. The front paws are heavy and broad, armed with long, curved claws that serve as highly effective digging tools. The tail is relatively short, measuring 4 to 7 inches in length, and is covered with dense, dark, bushy fur.