Marmots and groundhogs are rodents belonging to the family of ground squirrels.They have similar characteristics, which make them look like they are the same. However, being in the same family doesn’t mean they are the same.Marmots (scientific name Marmota) are the bulkiest in the family of ground squirrels. Groundhogs (scientifically Marmota monax), nicknamed woodchucks, are rodents that belong to the family of marmots. Like other squirrels, both have long incisors that help them in eating and have a burrow as a place to stay in.These are considered animal celebrities as they are noticed in parks during the summer. Once the winter season sets in, they hide away and hibernate, preparing themselves for the season ahead. Life must be easier for such squirrels!In North America, February 2 is celebrated as Groundhog Day, when the mammals finally come out of their holes to check if it’s summer or not.To find out the differences in appearance between these two rodents, take a look at their heads and tails. Marmots have a white patch between their eyes and bushy tails compared to groundhogs.Click here to read more animal facts articles about orange animals and pack animals at Kidadl.Where do they live? Habitat And RegionGroundhogs are creatures that live in regions of North America, the United States, Canada, and Alaska, whereas a species of yellow-bellied marmots (rock chucks) are seen in the Alps, Pyrenees, United States, Canada, and in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in southern Alberta. There are 15 species living in these areas.Both make burrows to stay, sleep, chill and hibernate in. They make the burrows with two exits, with one acting as a spy hole. Surprisingly, their burrows can be 16 in (40.6 cm) wide and 14 in (35.5 cm) high, with different levels designed for their activities. Their burrows are kept warm with dried grass and leaves. Forest clearings make the perfect habitat for them. They prepare their burrows below the frost line, where the temperature remains stable during winter. While yellow-bellied marmots like to live in mountainous regions, groundhogs prefer to live on plain surfaces.The yellow-bellied marmot, also called the rockchuck, prefers to make a burrow under rocks where it is less likely to be seen by predators. Groundhogs do not have a preference for any areas, but a burrow is usually under the soil, and that can be a threat to agriculture as they destroy the land and disrupt the foundation for farm machinery. These rodents prefer not to leave their abode during the winter as they hibernate, and any predator that enters the burrow entrance is set to be injured by the sharp teeth of these rodents. Though these mammals live in colonies, they mark their territory and do not let others in.This squirrel spends around nine months hibernating, which means 80% of its life is spent sleeping. When they come out of their burrows in February, they are seen to have lost half of their weight. Both are excellent burrowers and rear their young very well.Marmots are herbivores; they eat mostly grass, berries, lichens, mosses, roots, and flowers which are easy to find in their habitat.The majority of groundhogs are herbivorous; they feed on grass, crops, buckwheat, red and black raspberries, mulberries, wild lettuce, and alfalfa. These omnivores feed on small animals like grubs, grasshoppers, snails, and tiny birds.They usually stuff themselves during the summer season. They gain weight in fat deposits to last them the hibernation during winter.What is the difference between a woodchuck and a groundhog?There is no difference between a groundhog and a woodchuck. They are the same, referring to rodents called groundhogs of the Sciuridae family. They are also known by other names like chuck, woodstock, whistler, whistling pig, Canada marmot, red monk, and thick wood badger. Baby groundhogs are called chucklings.When a groundhog is alarmed by a predator, it gives a thrilling whistle to alert others. This is where it got the name whistle pig.Woodchucks and marmots are extremely intelligent animals that live in communities and communicate with each other by whistling. They clean their faces like squirrels and lick their fur like cats.A study showed the types of colonies of these rodents: colonies, satellite sites, and temporary sites.There are other similar-looking animals to groundhogs. They are prairie dogs, badgers, and beavers.How did woodchucks get their name? They didn’t their name because they feed on wood. They were given this name by the Algonquian people, who called them wejack, woodshaw, and woodchuck. A mixture of all these names eventually gave birth to the name woodchuck.Is a groundhog a rodent?Yes, groundhogs are rodents. They belong to a family of marmots that are closely related to squirrels.Apart from the differences in the food they eat, they are also different in appearance. While groundhogs have brown-colored fur all over their body, they also have hair on their legs. Their legs are short, and they have sharp claws that make it easier to dig.Marmots and groundhogs are diurnal; they are active in the early morning and late afternoon.Marmots of the yellow-bellied marmot variety have specks of yellow all over their neck regions. The fur on their backs is brown and there is a patch of white fur between their eyes.Marmots are usually confused with gophers. They are not the same. While a marmot is a large ground squirrel belonging to the group of the Marmota family, a gopher is a small borrowing rodent that belongs to the Geomyidae family.There is only one breeding season for marmots and groundhogs. The breeding season lasts for two weeks after the hibernation, around March to April. Males usually wake up early after hibernation to mate. They become reproductive when they are two years old. Their gestation period lasts 32 days, and females give birth to one to eight offspring. A litter ranges from three to five pups. By five weeks, the pups separate from the family and go on their way to make their dens.How big can a groundhog get?A groundhog can measure 16.5-30 in (41.8-68.5 cm) in total length with a tail of 3.7-7.3 in (9.5-18.7 cm). They weigh more during the autumn season when they are stuffed with food, with weights ranging between 4.4-13.8 lb (2-6.3 kg). Their fur is reddish, dark brown, or coarse gray.Male groundhogs are slightly larger than females. Males weigh 8.3 lb (3.83 kg), and females weigh 7.7 lb (3.53 kg). Their four incisors, which grow up to 0.05 in (1.5 mm) per week, wear off with time as they use them for eating, biting, and gnawing.Yellow-bellied Marmots are bulkier than groundhogs, with their total length varying from 16.5-28.3 in (42-72 cm). In spring, they weigh around 17.6 lb (8 kg), while in autumn, they weigh around 24.2 lb (11 kg). They are usually reddish-brown or more or less grizzled with gray.The smallest species of marmots are the Alaska marmot, and the largest is the Olympic marmot.Marmots have a longer life span in the wild of 13-15 years, while groundhogs live for two to three years.It is a known fact that groundhogs and yellow-bellied marmots can do some heavy damage to approaching predators. The young are often hunted by eagles, cats, timber rattlesnakes, or hawks. The bigger ones are attacked by foxes, wolves, coyotes, skunks, dogs, and weasels. When a predator appears to be near, they whistle and make the others alert. Groundhogs are vicious and attack predators with their sharp incisors and claws.Humans do not hunt these marmots for sports, but farmers hunt them down as they pose a threat to crops. Groundhogs are often hunted for sports and for their fur. The numbers of these animals are decreasing at an alarming rate.Even though groundhogs can be kept in captivity, their aggressive nature can pose a problem. Groundhogs are often used for medical research on Hepatitis B-induced liver cancer.While groundhogs and marmots appear cute and fuzzy, they should not be carried around or welcomed by humans because they have ticks in their furry bodies, which can easily pass onto humans and cause problems. You should keep your kids and pets away from them. These are animals from the wilderness and should be left in their own territory.Poets like Robert Frost have included woodchucks in their work. There are also several tongue twisters based on their name.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting animal facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked reading about marmots vs groundhogs, then why not take a look at our articles on prey animals or radial symmetry in animals?
Marmots and groundhogs are rodents belonging to the family of ground squirrels.
