The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as the woodchuck or whistlepig, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Most marmots, such as yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the woodchuck is a lowland creature. It is widely distributed in North America and common in the northeastern and central United States. Groundhogs are found as far north as Alaska, with their habitat extending southeast to Alabama.-From Wikipedia
I live on a farm in Marengo County (southeast Alabama) and I've identified what I believe to be a woodchuck, but everything I've read places the animal in North Alabama. Have there been any reports of woodchucks in south Alabama?
ReplyDeleteSorry...didn't mean to make the previous comment anonymous as I would really like some feedback. Will try again.
ReplyDeleteWoodchuck in southeast Alabama
Susanna - I have also read that woodchucks go only as far south as the north part of Alabama, but I have also read that they have been moving farther south recently. Also, there aren't any other animals that resemble woodchucks very closely in that area. It is highly possible that what you saw was indeed a woodchuck. There are very slightly similar animals such as beavers, but there's nothing that I have found resembling a woodchuck very closely. It sounds like you've seen a woodchuck, but I can't be sure without seeing it for myself. I'm not sure if this solves your problem, but I hope it helps.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ratty! My husband thinks I was seeing things (he likes to make fun of me). I'm very familiar with beavers, and when I first spotted this woodchuck I thought it was our pet beaver...yes, I said pet beaver. He's been with us for about 5 years...came to us as an orphan and was so small he fit into the palm of our hand. His mother was the victim of "The Beaver Man". :(
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I knew it wasn't the beaver who has a kind of rolling walk/run, compared to the woodchucks movement, and tails are drastically different. Very thankful for the validation!!
Susanna
Susanna - I'm happy to help whenever I can. If you're lucky, your husband will see it too next time.
ReplyDelete