Marmot

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There are actually about 12 species of rodents in the genus Marmota. They constitute the largest members of the squirrel family. Sciuridae. Marmots range in weight from 7 to 18 lbs. Their length ranges from 12 to 24 inches and their tails are 4 to 10 inches long. Marmots burrow and live in open habitats with plentiful vegetation. Probably the most notorious species are the Groundhog, or Woodchuck, M monax of east and central North America and the hoary marmot, M. caligata or yellow bellied marmot (Rockchuck) of western North America.