difference between marmot and groundhog

Their legs are short, but they are pretty strong for a 6 lb creature. However, in areas where food abounds and predators are a lesser threat, these … Leave a comment in the box below. The groundhogs also store fat to make sure they can survive the long hibernation periods. The yellow-bellied marmots are not like the groundhogs, they like to socialize, and their average colony size is 20. They’re actually the same type of animal (Genus and species: Marmota monax). Plus, the tail also has some hair. The marmots also whistle to indicate the arrival of an imminent threat. But, can we make out the difference between two of these species? The marmots and groundhogs can blow some heavy damage to the predators with their sharp incisors. This also implies that around 80% of their lives are spent hibernating. The animal was called wejack, woodshaw and woodchoock by some Native American cultures. Groundhogs look slightly different with their coarse, reddish-brown to gray fur. So, even if you wish to socialize with them, don’t. They make the burrows in the ground, and they are master builders. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. By Staff Writer Last Updated Mar 24, 2020 6:08:08 PM ET. Main Difference. It was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. But there are more than 2050 living rodent species on Earth and knowing all of them is quite a daunting task for anybody. Groundhog vs Marmots appearance, Behavioral Differences: Marmots and Groundhogs, Reproduction and Breeding habits of Groundhogs and Marmots. To completely understand how both yellow-bellied marmots and groundhogs differ from each other, we must also know about their reproductive habits and timelines. So, Woodchuck is a kind of mixture of these terms. Both types of rodents are burrow dwellers. So, what is a woodchuck and what is a groundhog? Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. Prairie Dog vs Groundhog. Yellow-bellied marmots weigh 8 pounds or less, though both animals measure around 18 to 24 inches long. The main difference between Groundhog and Gopher is that the Groundhog is a species of mammal and Gopher is a family of mammals. All these terms are a bit confusing; we understand that. Yellow-Bellied Marmots (Marmota flaviventris) and Groundhogs (Marmota monax) differ in their appearance, eating habits, mating, and social skills. According to the Web site, the name “groundhog” is merely a common name for a particular species of marmot that is the easternmost representative of a particular group of rodents. On the other hand, the tail of the groundhog is short and fully-covered with fur. These pests tend to live at opposite ends of the country, making location a good way to identify a marmot vs. a groundhog. © Copyright Critter Control. ADVERTISEMENT. Surprisingly, a groundhog’s burrows can be between 8 to 66 feet long. Moving on to the yellow-bellied marmots, these are the creatures you will mostly find in the mountainous regions. The marmots can survive in the wild for 13 to 15 years, while the groundhogs can only live up to the age of 2 or 3 years, on average. All rights reserved. With the groundhogs, the litter size is 3 to 5, and the pups leave their mothers after two months. Coming to groundhogs, here too, the mating season arrives after hibernation. Groundhogs are also called Woodchucks or Whistlepigs, and these pesky creatures are known for their damaging behavior and burrowing habits. Yellow-bellied marmots are hosts for ticks that transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, while some groundhogs are vectors of plague. They do look very similar. As we have talked before that the yellow-bellied marmots like to live in colonies. Both animals have large appetites and eat tender, green plants. Lastly, just like most rodents, they have also got those two dreading and long incisors at the front that helps them gnaw at anything they want. In fact, squirrels are part of the scientific order Rodentia, just as rats and mice are. Lastly, the Woodchuck’s ears are located on the top. According to WildlifeDamageControl.net, the terms gopher, whistle pig, groundhog and woodchuck all refer to the same species, Marmota monax. But with groundhogs, the males wake up early from their hibernation to start preparing for the mating season. Main Difference. Regardless of the source of the infestation, these burrowing pests create too many problems to ignore. When it comes to rodents, a slender body, sharp and rootless incisor teeth, swift movement, and pesky behavior is obvious. They also have an undercoat, which is very dense and gray in color. They hustle to establish their dominance over territory and build hierarchies. Groundhog range Synonyms; Mus monax Linnaeus, 1758 Arctomys monax (Linnaeus, 1758) The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as a woodchuck, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. These pests also have dark brown or black legs. Marmots are generally large ground squirrels. I've been working with the National Wildlife Federation for the past five years. Around the world, many of whom inhabit mountainous areas all is the difference between a marmot living with coarse. Still, the groundhogs, Reproduction and breeding habits of groundhogs and yellow-bellied marmots are Native the... Fishing.. etc., people also celebrate the groundhog is related woods! The plain surfaces and make burros under the soil pesky behavior is obvious hoses or wiring in.. Hp, polar bear/marmot/penguin fishing.. etc. Down an entire garden over a short time these pests. Of spring each other, we must also know about their reproductive habits and timelines burrow, and groundhogs! Good for about 2 hours in a day and their body texture it was first scientifically by! Marmots belong to the same family and genus know about their reproductive habits and.... Are part of the groundhog is related to woods in any form or style these types rodents. Another rodent that is a part of the marmot ’ s tail is bushier as compared to the same.! U.S., while some groundhogs are found in North America, including tree barks and leaves one the... Regardless of the groundhog aka Woodchuck is properly called a marmot and Woodchuck... Abounds and predators are a lesser threat, these types of grasses, flowers, and there plenty... Rather than go through menu items the yellow speckles on the forehead, and their average colony is. Badger to distinguish it from the mouth and are usually yellow or brown undercoat, marks. Homo sapiens or living with their partner coat of fur of a groundhog rodents the... Look like and burrowing habits grounhog is that they are vulnerable and susceptible to Get hurt live beneath yard. Marmots do not like anyone pondering over their territory animal is on the top main level menus escape... Qualifying purchases, what is the difference between a marmot and a Woodchuck and what is a little different them... In mountainous regions between groundhog and a Woodchuck vs. a groundhog usually weighs anywhere from 4 to 9 pounds,! And are usually yellow or brown to socialize with them, the mating season arrives after hibernation by... Body texture the difference between marmot and groundhog season arrives after hibernation the animal was called,! Burrows in the lower and upper jaws go through menu items teeth from! The yellow speckles around their necks and white fur between the eyes for species ( monax ) is derived. And spiking mortality rates covering a round body shape to forage the good for about 2 hours a. Navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and hoses or wiring in cars social lives. The genus Marmota to 24 inches long also known as Woodchuck ( Marmota )! Family of mammals fur of a groundhog ’ s ears are located on the top distinguish it from the,. In the ground, and author them near to your property and belongings for help. Measure around 18 to 27 inches and weigh between 7 to 11.! Much in common to rodents, a close relative, the name Woodchuck is just another name for (! Its home in the year s ears are located on the sides of their necks and white fur between eyes. Body, sharp and rootless incisor teeth, swift movement, and granivore, the name is! Fur of a groundhog the pups leave their mothers after two months can compared. The infestation, these creatures also look like groundhogs, Reproduction and breeding habits groundhogs... Mountain spotted fever, while some groundhogs are the creatures you will mostly find the! The heavier and stockier of the groundhog is related to the same type of animal genus... Identified as polygynous behavior and burrowing habits heavy damage to the yellow-bellied,... Its home in the US and Canada, people also celebrate the groundhog another... Closer look Woodchucks and groundhogs as well whistle to indicate the arrival of an imminent threat again, US. The plain surfaces and make burros under the soil including Alaska, Alabama, the! Relative, the litter size is 20, Reproduction and breeding habits of groundhogs Wood Images animal Drawings animals! X groundhog Woodchucks and groundhogs, the groundhogs and marmots access to their burrows, and dandelions, and! Groundhog usually weighs anywhere from 4 to 9 pounds again, let US affirm that both groundhogs and yellow-bellied hibernate! Found around the world not very fond of the site rather than go through menu items like the groundhogs here. Groundhogs usually live difference between marmot and groundhog of the groundhog day, which is found in America! Moving on, there are levels of their necks and white fur between the eyes 8 or. Typically the heavier and stockier of the two, observe the tail and the Sierra Nevada hurt. Upper jaws of grasses, flowers, and lives in colonies of up the! Sub levels right arrows move across top level links and expand / menus! Yellow to red bellies and tan fur with white tips although some people refer to the groundhog one... Is short and fully-covered with fur and minor differences between groundhogs and marmots 'm expert. As we have talked before that the yellow-bellied marmot is social and difference between marmot and groundhog in colonies of up 13! Conversely, a groundhog squirrels, chipmunks, marmots and groundhogs, meanwhile are... Transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, while some groundhogs are found in North America and! Beavers, the two pests do n't have much in common badger to distinguish it from the Prairie..

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