Fauna Flora Photography

Groundhog Marmota monax

A common, larger rodent, hibernates and can be seen only after the last snow has gone and spring arrived. Groundhogs are used to civilization and build their burrows near houses.

Specs

Length40-65cm
Weight2-4kg

Common Names

GermanWaldmurmeltier
EnglishGroundhog
FrenchMarmotte commune
SpanishMarmota canadiense

Taxonomy

OrderRodentia
FamilySciuridae
SpeciesMarmota monax

How to Identify

Around Montreal, there are no similar species like Hoary Marmot, Yellow-bellied Marmot or Vancouver Island Marmot, so that identification of this species is simple.

Groundhog (Marmota monax) - Tadoussac - 2018-05-24
Groundhog (Marmota monax) - Parc Mont-Royal - 2015-08-23
Groundhog (Marmota monax) - Parc Mont-Royal - 2015-05-03
Groundhog (Marmota monax) - Dorval - 2014-07-11

Where and When to Spot

I saw Groundhogs in almost every park around Montreal. Morning and late afternoon, look out for patches of meadows where they like to feed. Although, living close to houses, they will run into the burrow when you get close.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Jardin Botanique de Montréal - x - -
Parc Angrignon x x - -
Parc Michel-Chartrand x - - -
Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies x - - -
Parc des Rapides x x - -
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - x - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.


Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.