mammal
Groundhog
Marmota monax
Low riskEdible cookedcommon
Woodchuck. Garden thief, decent meat, burrows that break livestock legs.
A heavy brown rodent with a short tail. Sits upright to watch. Burrow has a main dirty mound and a hidden spy hole.
- Habitat
- Field edges, fencerows, under sheds.
- Season
- Active March–October; hibernates.
- Size
- 8–14 lb
- Field marks
- Whistle; dirt-fan burrow
Use
Young ones fry like squirrel. Older ones stew. Fill unused burrows in horse paddocks.