OTHER NAMES: Woodchuck, Chuck, Wood-shock, Groundpig, Whistlepig, Tickwood Badger, Canada Marmot, Land Beaver
Latin Etymology: Marmota ("Marmot") monax (Algonquian name for species)
Adult Groundhog (Marmota monax) at Buffalo River State Park, Minnesota, USA - July 2024
Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: 2-6kg / Length: 41-68cm
NO UK STATUS/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern
A large species of marmot found in North America, the Groundhog is unusual in that it favours lowlands compared to most marmots being species of rocky or mountainous area. They spend much of their times in burrows, which have two to five entrances and average an internal volume of 6 cubic feet in each den. Famously, there are folk events called Groundhog Day in parts of the US where groundhogs are used to predict the arrival of spring.
Related Species:
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Marmota
SUBSPECIES: M. m. bunkeri, M. m. canadensis, M. m. ignava, M. m. johnsoni, M. m. monax, M. m. ochracea, M. m. petrensis, M. m. preblorum, M. m. rufescens
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED STATES - Found in East Lower 48 and Central Alaska
- CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Minnesota
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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