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The Groundhog
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Species: Marmota monax. Commonly know as the woodchuck or groundhog.
Physical description: Woodchucks have heavy bodies with short legs, the body being the thickest part on the animal. The body is between 18 and 27 inches long with a tail extending another 6 inches. They weigh between 10 and 14 pounds. Some may weigh up to 20 pounds!
One of the most obvious characteristics of woodchucks is the two front teeth that stick out of the mouth. These teeth are for gnawing and they will continuously grow throughout the woodchuck’s life because they are constantly being worn down.
Woodchucks have two layers of hair, the outer coat is made of course hair with a reddish-brown, gray, or white coloring. The inner layer is a soft hair of pale color and is used as insulation by the animal during hibernation. The legs and tail have a dark brown or black coloration to them, and the hair is very short. The belly is thinly lined with coarse hair but has no inner layer of insulation.
Shedding of fur is done annually and has been observed to happen in April, May, and June. The molting process begins at the tail and head at the same time. The molt progresses down from the head and up from the tail until it meets in the middle where it is completed. During this process hair seems blotchy because the new hair is brighter. Albinism and melanism does occur in woodchucks. Albinism occurs from a recessive gene received by one of the parents, who can be of normal coloration. Melanism is from an abundance of dark pigment in the skin and hair.
When a woodchuck hears or sees a predator, they will make a shrill whistle to warn others of the pending danger.
Taxonomic affiliation: The scientific name genus and species, of woodchucks is Marmota monax. They belong to the Order Rodentia and Family Sciuridae. Like all rodents, woodchucks have no canine teeth or “fangs” and are bucktoothed. This classifies them as gnawing mammals, a main characteristic of the Order Rodentia.
The Sciuridae family has 14 species of marmots including the woodchucks closest relative, the hoary marmot. Other members of the Sciuridae family are the squirrels, chipmunks, and prairie dogs. Typical of this family, and true for woodchucks, is that they have 4 clawed toes on their two front feet and 5 clawed toes on their back feet.
Range: Woodchucks can be found in Alaska, east into Canada and into the eastern half of the United States. They can be found as far south as northern Georgia and Alabama. |
TAZ, jstewart has marked this note useful
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One of my favourite animals. Your detailed note is appreciated. Your image is well balanced - the groundhog, the rocks and the vegetation. But he/she is a bit over-exposed (as are the rocks) and he/she a little out of focus. See my attempt at a similar shot on Trek Earth.
- TAZ
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2385 W: 50 N: 3184]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(10918) - [2005-07-04 3:29]
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Beautiful and interesting composition for this superb marmot in rocks ! Good pose, colors and details ! Thanks for sharing Jerolim.
![Silver Note Writer [C: 4 W: 3 N: 62]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/n-n-s.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 58 W: 0 N: 116]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
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