GROUNDHOG

Marmota monax

Family: Sciuridae (squirrels) in the order Rodentia

Description: The woodchuck, or groundhog, is a common Missouri rodent with short, powerful legs and a medium-long, bushy, and somewhat flattened tail. The long, coarse fur of the back is a grizzled grayish brown with a yellowish or reddish cast. Woodchucks weigh least in spring when they are just out of hibernation and most in fall prior to hibernation. When alarmed or suddenly disturbed, they can give a loud, shrill whistle.

Size: Total length 16–27 inches; tail length: 4–7 inches; weight: 4–14 pounds.