Name: We know them as groundhogs, or woodchucks. They are also known as whistle pigs, and scientists know them as Marmota monax.

Classification: Groundhogs are a member of the order Rodentia; in other words, groundhogs are rodents. They are further divided into the Sciuridae family, which includes squirrels and other relatives. Within this family they belong in the genus Marmota, which classifies marmots.

Location: Groundhogs are found in Alaska, southern Canada and the eastern United States.

Habitat: In the fall and winter, groundhogs prefer thickets and open woodlands. In the spring and summer, they take to meadows, open fields and pastures. They rarely venture more than half a mile from their burrow.

Diet: Groundhogs go wild for succulent green plants — especially alfalfa and clover. They also eat seeds, grasses, fruits, vegetables, herbs, weeds, dandelion greens and small invertebrates, such as grasshoppers. They drink very little water, as most of it comes from the plants they eat.

Size: Most groundhogs grow no larger than 21 inches, nor weigh any heavier than 12 pounds.

Description: Groundhogs have long, banded guard hairs, which are grayish in color and tipped with brown or a dull red. These cover a dense, woolly undercoat. Many groundhogs have a distinct patch of white fur around the nose. They have a powerful set of jaws with two chisel-shaped incisors that never stop growing. They have small eyes and ears located near the top of their broad, flat head. Their build is powerful, and they have short legs with sturdy claws built for burrowing. Their tail is dark and bushy.

Cool Facts: It is intolerant of intruders and will defend its burrow by arching its back, stiffening its tail and flicking it, jumping around, baring its teeth and chattering. It is adept at both swimming and climbing.

Conservation Status: Common