27 Animals that Look Like Groundhogs (List with Pictures)

Examples of animals that look like groundhogs include marmots, badgers, beavers, capybaras, and chipmunks.

As anyone who has spent time in the outdoors knows, there is an abundance of wildlife to be found. And while many of these animals are fascinating in their own right, some of them are just downright strange.

One such animal is the groundhog, whose appearance can often lead to confusion among observers. In this post, we will take a look at some of the animals that share similarities with groundhogs and discuss what makes each one unique.

Examples of Animals that Look Like Groundhogs

1. Alaska Marmot

The Alaska marmot is a large rodent that is found in the mountainous regions of Alaska and Canada. They are similar in appearance to groundhogs, with their stocky bodies and short legs. However, they can be distinguished by their longer tails and darker fur.

2. Alpine Marmot

The alpine marmot is a close relative of the groundhog, and the two species share many similarities. Both animals are members of the squirrel family, and they have similar body proportions and fur colors. The biggest difference between these two animals is their size; alpine marmots are much larger than groundhogs, measuring up to three feet in length.

3. Badger

The badger is a member of the weasel family and is found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Badgers are stocky animals with short legs and long bodies. They have black-and-white striped fur and long, sharp claws that they use for digging.

Although they are similar in appearance to groundhogs, badgers are actually much larger, averaging about twice the size. They also have a different diet, as they are carnivores that primarily eat small mammals such as rabbits and mice.

4. Beaver

The beaver is a large, semi-aquatic rodent that is found in North America and Europe. Like the groundhog, the beaver has a broad, flat tail that it uses to help swim. Beavers also build dams and lodges out of sticks and mud, which can create ponds and wetlands. However, beavers are much larger than groundhogs, weighing up to 60 pounds (27 kg).

Read Also: Platypus vs Beaver

5. Black-Capped Marmot

The Black-capped Marmot is a small rodent that is found in the Rocky Mountains of North America. These marmots are brown or gray in color, with a black cap on their head. They typically grow to be about 16 inches long and weigh between 2 and 4 pounds.

While they may not look like groundhogs at first glance, they do share some similarities. Both animals are members of the squirrel family, and both have short tails and furry coats. Marmots also dig burrows for shelter, and they hibernate during the winter months.

6. Bobak Marmot

The Bobak marmot is a species of rodent that is found in Central Asia. Like the groundhog, it has a stocky body and short legs. It also has similar coloring, with a brownish-red coat and white underparts. However, there are some key differences between the two animals. For one, the Bobak marmot is much larger, weighing up to 5 kg (11 lb). It also has a longer tail and ears, and its coat is more coarse.

7. Capybara

The capybara is a large rodent that is native to South America. It is the largest member of the rodent family and can weigh up to 150 pounds. Capybaras are semi-aquatic, meaning they spend time both on land and in water. They are excellent swimmers and can even hold their breath for up to five minutes.

What sets the capybara apart from the groundhog is its size. Capybaras can be nearly twice as large as groundhogs, and their furry coats make them look even bigger. In addition, capybaras are semi-aquatic, meaning they spend time both on land and in water.

8. Chipmunk

Chipmunks are one of the most common animals to be confused with groundhogs. They are small, rodent-like creatures with striped backs and bushy tails. Chipmunks are found in a variety of habitats including forests, deserts, and mountains.

What sets chipmunks apart from groundhogs is their size; chipmunks are much smaller, usually only reaching lengths of around 6 inches. They also have a different diet, feeding mainly on insects, nuts, and seeds. Additionally, chipmunks are known for their high-pitched chirping vocalizations, which are very different from the grunting noises made by groundhogs.

9. Forest-Steppe Marmot

The forest-Steppe Marmot is a species of marmot found in the forests of central Asia. It shares many similarities with the groundhog, including its stout body, short legs, and long tail.

10. Gopher

The gopher is a small mammal that is closely related to the groundhog. Both animals are members of the family Rodentia, which also includes rats and mice. Gophers are native to North and Central America, while groundhogs are found in North America and Europe.

Like groundhogs, gophers have short legs and bodies and long tails. They also have large front teeth that they use for digging. Gophers typically live in burrows underground, where they build extensive tunnel systems.

Related Article: 30 Animals Like Gophers

11. Gray Marmot

The gray marmot is a member of the squirrel family and is found in the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. Like groundhogs, they are burrowers and hibernate during the winter months. One of the most notable differences between gray marmots and groundhogs is their size, as gray marmots can grow to be twice as large as their groundhog cousins.

12. Ground Squirrel

The ground squirrel is a type of rodent that is closely related to the chipmunk. Ground squirrels are found in a variety of habitats, but they are most commonly associated with open areas such as grasslands and prairies.

13. Hedgehog

The hedgehog is a small, spiny mammal that is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night. They have a diet that consists mostly of insects, but they will also eat small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Hedgehogs are well-known for their spines, which are actually modified hairs that are thick and stiff. These spines provide protection from predators and help the hedgehog to roll into a tight ball when threatened.

Related Article: 28 Animals Like Hedgehogs

14. Himalayan Marmot

The Himalayan marmot is a burrowing rodent that is found in the mountainous regions of Nepal and Tibet. Like groundhogs, they are members of the squirrel family and have short legs relative to their body size.

They also have short, furry tails and large claws that help them dig their burrows. One of the most notable features of the Himalayan marmot is their distinctive brown and light brown fur, which helps them camouflage in their rocky habitat.

15. Hoary Marmot

The hoary marmot is a species of ground squirrel that is found in the mountainous regions of North America. These animals are notable for their thick fur coats, which help to keep them warm in their cold habitat. Hoary marmots can also be easily distinguished from groundhogs by their black faces and whitethroats.

16. Hyrax

The hyrax is a small, rodent-like mammal that is found in Africa and the Middle East. They are easily distinguished from groundhogs by their short legs and lack of fur on their tails.

17. Long-Tailed Marmot

The long-tailed marmot is a member of the squirrel family that is found in the western United States and Canada. Like groundhogs, these animals are brown or grey in color and have short legs. They also have tails that are much longer than those of groundhogs.

One of the most notable differences between long-tailed marmots and groundhogs is their habitat. Long-tailed marmots live in rocky areas at high altitudes, while groundhogs are found in lower-lying areas such as fields and gardens.

18. Menzbier’s Marmot

Menzbier’s marmot is a species of rodent that is found in the mountains of central Asia. This animal is significantly larger than a groundhog, with adults weighing up to 8 kg (18 lb). The fur of Menzbier’s marmot is brown or reddish-brown in color, and the animals are often mistaken for small bears.

19. Mole

Moles are small, burrowing mammals that are found in many parts of the world. While they share some similarities with groundhogs, the most notable difference is their size; moles are much smaller than groundhogs, and their fur is usually darker in color.

Another difference between moles and groundhogs is that moles do not have external ears. This is due to the fact that their burrowing lifestyle means that they do not need to hear as well as other animals.

20. Muskrat

The muskrat is a small, rodent-like creature that is found in North America. Like the groundhog, it has a stout body and short legs. Muskrats are brown or black in color, and they have a long, rat-like tails.

One of the main differences between muskrats and groundhogs is their habitat. Muskrats live in wetlands, such as marshes and swamps. They are good swimmers and often build their homes in the water. Groundhogs, on the other hand, live on land. They are found in fields, meadows, and wooded areas.

21. Nutria

The next animal on our list is the nutria, a large rodent that is native to South America. Nutrias look similar to groundhogs in that they have stout bodies, short legs, and long tails. However, nutrias are significantly larger than groundhogs, weighing up to 20 pounds.

22. Olympic Marmot

The Olympic marmot is a close relative of the groundhog. These animals are found in the mountainous regions of the Pacific Northwest and are known for their burrowing habits.

Like groundhogs, Olympic marmots are herbivores and prefer to eat grasses and other plants. They are also generally shy around humans and will often retreat to their burrows when approached.

23. Prairie Dog

Prairie dogs are small, burrowing rodents that are found in North America. They get their name from their habit of barking or yelping when they are alarmed. Prairie dogs are closely related to groundhogs and the two species share many similarities. Both animals have short legs, stocky bodies, and long tails. They also have brown fur and are proficient diggers.

24. Tarbagan Marmot

The Tarbagan marmot is a species of a groundhog that is found in Siberia. These animals are notable for their shaggy fur coats, which can be either brown or grey in coloration. They also have long claws on their front paws, which they use for digging.

25. Vancouver Island Marmot

The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is a large ground squirrel that is endemic to Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The Vancouver Island marmot is the largest member of the genus Marmota, with adults weighing up to 5 kg (11 lb). They are easily distinguished from other marmots by their small size, black ear-tips, and chocolate-brown fur.

26. Wombat

The wombat is a small, stocky marsupial that is native to Australia. These animals are most easily distinguished by their burrowing habits and their distinctive cube-shaped poop.

Wombats are roughly the same size as groundhogs, but they have shorter legs and a heavier build. Their fur is also darker, ranging from brown to black.

27. Yellow-Bellied Marmot

The yellow-bellied marmot is a member of the squirrel family and is found in North America. These animals are easily distinguished from groundhogs by their shorter tails and darker fur. Marmots are also known to make loud, chattering noises, something that groundhogs do not do.

Conclusion

There are many animals that look like groundhogs, but each one has its own unique features. The most similar animal to the groundhog is the marmot, which is larger and found in different parts of the world. Other animals that resemble groundhogs include the beaver, muskrat, badger, raccoon, and alpine marmot. Each of these animals has its own specific characteristics, but all share a general resemblance to groundhogs.

Garreth

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.