Groundhog, Marmota monax, also known as woodchuck, is a
terrestrial mammal described under the Order: Rodentia and Family:
Sciuridae. They naturally range from Alaska through whole Canada towards
Atlanta and other Central and Eastern States of the United States. They
are a very important group of animals, being the largest sciurid member
of North America with body weights ranging between two and four
kilograms. Their body size is very conspicuous, with a length measuring
more than half a metre. Groundhogs have a pair of short forelimbs, which
are distinctive with thick and curved claws. Those claws are strong and
useful to dig burrows to make themselves homes. The common name
groundhog has been used to refer them because of their ground living
behaviour. In fact, they have proven their excellent ability to make
burrows with an average digging speed of more than 14 metres long at 1.5
metres under the ground level. These tunnels sometimes pose a great
threat to large-scale buildings and agricultural lands; hence, the
possibility of an economic damage would be high due to a habitation of
groundhogs
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