What is the difference between a muskrat and a woodchuck

Thursday, June 4, Muskrat or groundhog. I got this photo tonight at a boat ramp along the river, and I realized two things:. I need to make sure my camera has the right settings before I shoot in low light, or else I'll get an out-of-focus picture like this.

Posted by ohio at PM. Newer Post Older Post Home. Subscribe to: Post Comments Atom. Keep reading to learn more about five of those species of gopher snakes, and how you might be able to identify them. As the weather warms up and winter turns into spring, you may start to notice an increase in gopher activity. Besides the holes that gophers can burrow in your yard, they can also be a nuisance by chowing down on some of your plants.

You may be wondering, what plants do gophers eat? Keep reading to find out. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies to analyze website traffic and improve your experience on our website.

Learn more about the types of cookies we use by reviewing our updated Privacy Policy. Groundhog: What's the Difference? Woodchuck vs. The Difference In Etymology So, what is a woodchuck and what is a groundhog? Their Hibernation Patterns For groundhogs, preparing for hibernation season means stocking up on food sources. Their Reputation Groundhogs have a reputation for being able to predict spring weather before it arrives.

Learn Pests. Tips for Pest-Proofing Your Home. How to Identify Types of Gopher Snakes. Their legs are strong, but comparatively short. The tail is small and hairy.

The whole body is covered with typical yellowish-brown fur. They are herbivores. With the help of their chisel like pointed teeth, they can gnaw and eat any kind of vegetation, garden vegetables and fruits. They are known for their peculiar habits of feeding in the early morning and evening hours, as they need to have their water intake mainly from the dew and plant moisture.

The forefeet claws of the woodchucks are long and curved, and are capable of digging burrows in the ground. These burrows may have 8 to 66 feet long and 2 to 5 feet deep with multiple entrances. The woodchucks use them for bearing and raising their young ones, and also to escaping from the predators like domestic dogs, hawks, foxes, humans etc.

During hibernation, the woodchucks use these dens as shelter in the winter, when heavy frosts begin sometime in October. They leave these shelters only in February or March, when mating season starts.

The mother woodchuck gives birth to three or four young ones, after one month. Since woodchucks love to live by their own, the young ones will leave the mother and home, in June, to find out new dens and territories. They climb trees, and sleep on rocks, timbers, and on the meadows, and restrict themselves moving too far from their dwelling place.

The woodchucks live an average life span of four to five years. The scientific name of the beaver is Castor Canadensis. These semi-aquatic mammals are known to be the largest living rodents in North America. Like beavers, their tails are flattened, and their hind feet are partially webbed to help them thrive near water. Muskrats tunnel in and around ponds, streams, and marshes. Like groundhogs, they are primarily herbivores, preferring to feast on the stems and roots of aquatic plants.

Their tunneling efforts can cause embankments around water bodies to weaken, increasing the odds of flooding around your property. Muskrats are also attracted to gardens, where their foraging can quickly destroy plants and crops. Fencing is effective for keeping muskrats out of some areas, but trapping is the best method for preventing damage to your home.