| Topic:
Woodchuck
Pronunciation:
'wüd-chuk'
Definition: Groundhogs
are a grizzled thickset marmot (Marmota monax) chiefly of Alaska,
Canada, and the northeastern United States.
The woodchuck is a wide bodied,
burrowing rodent measuring 18 to 30 inches from nose to the tip of
the tail and weighing from 5 to 20 pounds.
Habitat: Various
species of groundhogs are found among rockslides and in open woods
or fields where they dig extensive burrows. Woodchuck burrows
are usually 4 to 6 feet deep and can be as long as 45
feet.
Aliases: groundhog,
marmot, whistle-pig, pig, chuck | 