Species guide
Groundhog
Nuisance, not harmfulMarmota monax
How to recognise it
A stout, low-slung rodent (~50 cm) with grizzled brown fur, short legs and a short bushy tail. Digs large burrows with conspicuous entrance mounds.
Is it dangerous?
Harmless to people but a digging nuisance — burrows can undermine sheds, decks and foundations. It will bite if cornered, so don't try to handle one.
What to do
Block access under structures with buried hardware cloth; don't corner or handle it.
Recorded 45,588 times in the wild worldwide.
Think you've spotted one?
Photograph it and let SpecieSense confirm the species — and show you the reasoning.
Identify a specimen