Quick answer: A muskrat is a water-dwelling swimmer with a scaly tail. A woodchuck is a land-based digger with a tail that sleeps all winter.
Why People Confuse a Muskrat and a Woodchuck
Both animals are thickset rodents. Both can appear near a yard a pond or a farm field.
One person said that a muskrat’s first look is like a rat. The woodchuck on the hand gets mixed up with everything from a beaver to a very determined squirrel.
The good news is that the signs are simple. Here is what to check:
- Where you saw it (water or land)
- What the tail looks like
- What it was eating
- What time of year it is
Muskrat versus Woodchuck: Side-by-Side Comparison
This table shows the facts in one place. Details come from the agencies listed in the sources section.
| Feature | Muskrat | Woodchuck (groundhog) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ondatra zibethicus | Marmota monax |
| Family | Cricetidae | Sciuridae (squirrel family) |
| Weight | 2.5 to 4 lb | About 4 to 14 lb, heaviest before winter |
| Total length | 23 to 26 in including tail | 16 to 27 in |
| Tail | 8 to 11 in scaly and flattened | 4 to 7 in, bushy |
| Home | Marshes, ponds, streams, canals | Meadows, farmland, forest edges |
| Shelter | Dome-shaped lodges or bank tunnels | Burrows 14 to 30 ft long with a dirt mound |
| Main diet | Plants such as cattails | Grasses, clover, alfalfa garden crops |
| Winter | Stays active under ice | True hibernator |
| Daily rhythm | Mostly nocturnal | Diurnal (active by day) |
Size and Body Shape
Weight is the place where the two animals differ. A woodchuck can be times heavier than a muskrat.
- Muskrat: 2.5 to 4 pounds as an adult with a head and small ears and eyes.
- Woodchuck: 4 to 14 pounds with legs.
- Seasonal change: woodchucks weigh least in spring and most in fall. So one animal can look very different in March and October.
The Adirondack mammal guide says woodchucks gain fat equal to a third of their weight over summer. That explains why published weight ranges vary much.
The Tail: The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart
If you can see the tail you can usually stop the confusion.
- Muskrat tail: scaly and flattened from side to side. New York’s wildlife agency says no other New York mammal has this tail feature.
- Woodchuck tail: short well-haired and somewhat flattened as described by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Think of it this way: one tail is a rudder and the other is a pom-pom.
Habitat: Water versus Dry Land
Where muskrats live
Muskrats stay close to water. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lists marshes, beaver ponds, reservoirs, irrigation canals and ditches as homes.
- In marshes they build dome-shaped lodges from plants and mud.
- On banks they dig tunnels with entrances according to Havahart.
- Their hind feet are partly webbed, which works like a paddle.
Where woodchucks live
Woodchucks prefer the edge of the woods. Pennsylvania’s Carnegie Museum notes they favor forest edges and open grassland over woods.
- Burrows run 14 to 30 feet long with a dirt mound at the entrance per Virginia DWR.
- Abandoned burrows become shelter for mammals.
- Hibernating dens sit in wooded areas while summer dens sit in fields.
Diet: Cattails versus Clover
Both animals are mainly plant eaters. The menu differs because the habitat differs.
- Muskrat: roots and stems of cattails, lilies, sedges and grasses. Alaska’s wildlife agency adds that they occasionally eat mussels, shrimp and small fish.
- Woodchuck: grasses, clovers, dandelions and goldenrods. Animal foods make up than one percent of the diet.
- Garden favorites: peas, beans and corn attract woodchucks according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Winter Behavior: Sleepers versus Swimmers
This is the difference. One animal sleeps all winter. The other keeps working.
- Muskrats stay active. They store vegetation in summer. Spend periods under the ice eating it.
- Woodchucks hibernate. Canada’s Hinterland Who's Who calls them one of Canada’s hibernators.
- Emergence timing varies. Missouri woodchucks begin stirring in February, which inspired the Groundhog Day tradition.
So if you see an animal in January it is not a woodchuck. Woodchucks are asleep. Have no plans to comment on the weather.
Babies and Breeding
- Muskrat: females produce two or more litters per year averaging six young per litter according to Texas Tech University.
- Woodchuck: breeding happens after spring emergence. Most litters hold 3 to 5 pups, per the University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web.
Field Checklist: Muskrat or Woodchuck?
Use this list the time you see one.
- Is it sitting in a marsh? Likely a muskrat.
- Is it standing upright in a field watching for danger? Likely a woodchuck.
- Is the tail long, bare and flat? Muskrat.
- Is the tail furry? Woodchuck.
- Is there a dirt mound at a hole? Woodchuck.
- Is there a dome of cattails and mud in the water? Muskrat.
Do Either of Them Cause Problems?
Both animals can affect property if they settle in the spot. Local rules for wildlife control differ, so check with your state or provincial agency.
- Muskrats: They tunnel into banks and dikes. Washington’s wildlife agency suggests keeping water level changes to a minimum to discourage tunneling higher up embankments.
- Woodchucks: They eat garden crops. Dig burrows in ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a woodchuck the same as a groundhog?
Yes. The Missouri Department of Conservation uses both names for the animal. "Whistlepig" is another nickname.
Is a muskrat the same as a groundhog?
No. The muskrat versus groundhog comparison is the same as the table. One is a wetland rodent. The other is a marmot in the squirrel family.
Is a muskrat a rat?
Not in the sense. Texas Tech lists it in the family Cricetidae. It is a -aquatic rodent.
Do muskrats
No. They stay active through winter. Feed on stored plants beneath the ice.
Which one is bigger?
The woodchuck, in some cases. Its weight can reach above a muskrat’s 4-pound limit in fall.
The Bottom Line
The muskrat versus woodchuck question comes down to habitat, tail and winter habits. A flat tail points to the muskrat. Dry land, a tail and a burrow point, to the woodchuck.
More From Our General Knowledge Blog
- Browse the General Knowledge category
- What Does HML Mean on Snapchat: A Complete Guide
- What Does Nard Smell Like
Sources
- New York State DEC: Muskrat
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Muskrat Species Profile
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Muskrat
- Texas Tech University: Mammals of Texas Common Muskrat
- Havahart: Facts About Muskrats
- Ferguson Museum: Nature Notes, Muskrat
- Missouri Department of Conservation: Woodchuck (Groundhog)
- Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: Woodchuck
- Hinterland Who's Who (Canada): Woodchuck
- Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan: Marmota monax
- Wild Adirondacks: Woodchuck
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History: Woodchuck or Groundhog
Quick answer: A muskrat is a water-dwelling swimmer with a scaly tail. A woodchuck is a land-based digger with a tail that sleeps all winter.
Why People Confuse a Muskrat and a Woodchuck
Both animals are thickset rodents. Both can appear near a yard a pond or a farm field.
One person said that a muskrat’s first look is like a rat. The woodchuck on the hand gets mixed up with everything from a beaver to a very determined squirrel.
The good news is that the signs are simple. Here is what to check:
- Where you saw it (water or land)
- What the tail looks like
- What it was eating
- What time of year it is
Muskrat versus Woodchuck: Side-by-Side Comparison
This table shows the facts in one place. Details come from the agencies listed in the sources section.
| Feature | Muskrat | Woodchuck (groundhog) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ondatra zibethicus | Marmota monax |
| Family | Cricetidae | Sciuridae (squirrel family) |
| Weight | 2.5 to 4 lb | About 4 to 14 lb, heaviest before winter |
| Total length | 23 to 26 in including tail | 16 to 27 in |
| Tail | 8 to 11 in scaly and flattened | 4 to 7 in, bushy |
| Home | Marshes, ponds, streams, canals | Meadows, farmland, forest edges |
| Shelter | Dome-shaped lodges or bank tunnels | Burrows 14 to 30 ft long with a dirt mound |
| Main diet | Plants such as cattails | Grasses, clover, alfalfa garden crops |
| Winter | Stays active under ice | True hibernator |
| Daily rhythm | Mostly nocturnal | Diurnal (active by day) |
Size and Body Shape
Weight is the place where the two animals differ. A woodchuck can be times heavier than a muskrat.
- Muskrat: 2.5 to 4 pounds as an adult with a head and small ears and eyes.
- Woodchuck: 4 to 14 pounds with legs.
- Seasonal change: woodchucks weigh least in spring and most in fall. So one animal can look very different in March and October.
The Adirondack mammal guide says woodchucks gain fat equal to a third of their weight over summer. That explains why published weight ranges vary much.
The Tail: The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart
If you can see the tail you can usually stop the confusion.
- Muskrat tail: scaly and flattened from side to side. New York’s wildlife agency says no other New York mammal has this tail feature.
- Woodchuck tail: short well-haired and somewhat flattened as described by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Think of it this way: one tail is a rudder and the other is a pom-pom.
Habitat: Water versus Dry Land
Where muskrats live
Muskrats stay close to water. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lists marshes, beaver ponds, reservoirs, irrigation canals and ditches as homes.
- In marshes they build dome-shaped lodges from plants and mud.
- On banks they dig tunnels with entrances according to Havahart.
- Their hind feet are partly webbed, which works like a paddle.
Where woodchucks live
Woodchucks prefer the edge of the woods. Pennsylvania’s Carnegie Museum notes they favor forest edges and open grassland over woods.
- Burrows run 14 to 30 feet long with a dirt mound at the entrance per Virginia DWR.
- Abandoned burrows become shelter for mammals.
- Hibernating dens sit in wooded areas while summer dens sit in fields.
Diet: Cattails versus Clover
Both animals are mainly plant eaters. The menu differs because the habitat differs.
- Muskrat: roots and stems of cattails, lilies, sedges and grasses. Alaska’s wildlife agency adds that they occasionally eat mussels, shrimp and small fish.
- Woodchuck: grasses, clovers, dandelions and goldenrods. Animal foods make up than one percent of the diet.
- Garden favorites: peas, beans and corn attract woodchucks according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Winter Behavior: Sleepers versus Swimmers
This is the difference. One animal sleeps all winter. The other keeps working.
- Muskrats stay active. They store vegetation in summer. Spend periods under the ice eating it.
- Woodchucks hibernate. Canada’s Hinterland Who's Who calls them one of Canada’s hibernators.
- Emergence timing varies. Missouri woodchucks begin stirring in February, which inspired the Groundhog Day tradition.
So if you see an animal in January it is not a woodchuck. Woodchucks are asleep. Have no plans to comment on the weather.
Babies and Breeding
- Muskrat: females produce two or more litters per year averaging six young per litter according to Texas Tech University.
- Woodchuck: breeding happens after spring emergence. Most litters hold 3 to 5 pups, per the University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web.
Field Checklist: Muskrat or Woodchuck?
Use this list the time you see one.
- Is it sitting in a marsh? Likely a muskrat.
- Is it standing upright in a field watching for danger? Likely a woodchuck.
- Is the tail long, bare and flat? Muskrat.
- Is the tail furry? Woodchuck.
- Is there a dirt mound at a hole? Woodchuck.
- Is there a dome of cattails and mud in the water? Muskrat.
Do Either of Them Cause Problems?
Both animals can affect property if they settle in the spot. Local rules for wildlife control differ, so check with your state or provincial agency.
- Muskrats: They tunnel into banks and dikes. Washington’s wildlife agency suggests keeping water level changes to a minimum to discourage tunneling higher up embankments.
- Woodchucks: They eat garden crops. Dig burrows in ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a woodchuck the same as a groundhog?
Yes. The Missouri Department of Conservation uses both names for the animal. "Whistlepig" is another nickname.
Is a muskrat the same as a groundhog?
No. The muskrat versus groundhog comparison is the same as the table. One is a wetland rodent. The other is a marmot in the squirrel family.
Is a muskrat a rat?
Not in the sense. Texas Tech lists it in the family Cricetidae. It is a -aquatic rodent.
Do muskrats
No. They stay active through winter. Feed on stored plants beneath the ice.
Which one is bigger?
The woodchuck, in some cases. Its weight can reach above a muskrat’s 4-pound limit in fall.
The Bottom Line
The muskrat versus woodchuck question comes down to habitat, tail and winter habits. A flat tail points to the muskrat. Dry land, a tail and a burrow point, to the woodchuck.
More From Our General Knowledge Blog
- Browse the General Knowledge category
- What Does HML Mean on Snapchat: A Complete Guide
- What Does Nard Smell Like
Sources
- New York State DEC: Muskrat
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Muskrat Species Profile
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Muskrat
- Texas Tech University: Mammals of Texas Common Muskrat
- Havahart: Facts About Muskrats
- Ferguson Museum: Nature Notes, Muskrat
- Missouri Department of Conservation: Woodchuck (Groundhog)
- Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: Woodchuck
- Hinterland Who's Who (Canada): Woodchuck
- Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan: Marmota monax
- Wild Adirondacks: Woodchuck
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History: Woodchuck or Groundhog