What rodent family does the groundhog belong to?

The groundhog belongs to the rodent family Sciuridae. It is not a rat, beaver, or rabbit, but a member of the squirrel family alongside tree squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs, and marmots.

The groundhog’s scientific name is Marmota monax. It is also called a woodchuck and is classified as a marmot, a group of large, mostly ground-dwelling squirrels. Groundhogs are native to much of eastern North America, including the United States and Canada.

Its family classification explains several familiar traits: groundhogs have prominent continuously growing incisors, strong claws for digging, and a compact body suited to life in burrows. They hibernate through winter and build extensive underground dens for shelter and raising young.

A common mix-up is assuming that “groundhog” describes a separate rodent family. It is instead a common name for one species within Sciuridae. The “hog” in the name refers to its chunky appearance, not to a relationship with pigs, which are not rodents.