what is this ? looks a woodchuck here, but...

[Chip]

it runs like a weasel, it's longer and thinner than it looks here. I've seen many woodchucks and this appears to be something else. It may be young, I've only started seeing it recently. thanks

 

[Waumbek]

I believe that it's a rodo-hiker working on the NE5KHM*. Otherwise, I'd say it's a juvenile woodchuck. This is a real stumper.

*The New England 5,000 Highest Mounds

 

[AndyF]

It sure looks like a woodchuck to me. I have woodchucks that live on my property and they look like that. Of course the only way to be certain is to find out how much wood it would chuck if it could chuck wood.

 

[Chip]

I agree it looks like a young woodchuck, but mature woodchucks waddle when they move, keeping their bellies to the gound. This guy moves vertically, like a weasel.

 

[TrishandAlex]

I saw a creature that looked exactly like that on the summit of Monroe last month. My daughter and I turned that little corner just beneath the actual summit, I stepped up, and then saw the creature sitting on the summit, looking eastward. It quickly turned and scurried off somewhere, disappearing into/underneath the rocks.

At the time, I thought it was a groundhog -- but I couldn't figure out what the heck it was doing on Mt. Monroe's summit. Someone at Lakes said it may have been a weasel.

 

[ColdRiverRun]

How much wood can a woodchuck chuck? Yeah, definitely a woodchuck. Some time rabbits hop and sometimes they sprint almost in a straight line as and example. I wouldn't call most woodchucks a wattle, it is just that they have so much loose skin that it looks like that. Most of the time adults will act stealthy and stay low in the grass then pop up and check things out. Keep in mind most fields are cut later in the summer causing more sightings when they are fattened up for their winter slumber party.

 

[brianW]

If you have a .22 than it would look like dinner

sorry couldn't resist

 

[Maddy]

It looks a lot like the one Kita (my first Akita) had hanging out of her mouth after she committed "murder" up in VT.

Sorry, I couldn't resist either.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

All in a name

You could call it an Eastern Marmot if you wanted to, or a Groundhog, but whatever you call it, it's still a Woodchuck.

KDT

 

[Chip]

If you have a .22 than it would look like dinner

sorry couldn't resist

no problemo, I see you're in Georgia .

So a young 'chuck it is. This guy may make the "Game Day" menu afterall...

 

[audrey]

There are definitely woodchucks in the Lakes of the Clouds/Mt. Monroe area. One popped out about 10 yards from the hut while the naturalist was describing the local food chain.

 

[chinooktrail]

Looks like a Marmota monax. AKA woodchuck.

I didn't know they were part of the squirrel family till I looked it up in the Audubon book. Hum...

I was trying to look up Pine Martin, which I have seen near the Carter Notch Hut, but they are not even listed in the book I have. But I did share my PB & J with one a few years back.

 

[TrishandAlex]

There are definitely woodchucks in the Lakes of the Clouds/Mt. Monroe area. One popped out about 10 yards from the hut while the naturalist was describing the local food chain.

Thanks. It sure was a surprise seeing one on Monroe.

 

[Waumbek]

There are definitely woodchucks in the Lakes of the Clouds/Mt. Monroe area. One popped out about 10 yards from the hut while the naturalist was describing the local food chain.

Audrey, that 'chuck was there only because he was finishing the NH48K.

 

[Chip]

I've changed my mind. It's definately a Whistlepig.

Since there's some interest, here's another from Mt Rainier, a Golden or Mountain Marmot;

 

[mookie]

If you have a .22 than it would look like dinner

sorry couldn't resist

them thar is good eatin!

 

[Dugan]

Bigfoot. Definitely a bigfoot sighting.

 

[brianW]

Come on, down here we just scrap them of the road, plus other dinner delights and serve them with collard greens and grits.

 

[Rick]

'Round here we call them "targets"

 

[BorealChickadee]

Call em what you like but they'll wreck havoc with your house. I had three young ones this spring. Oh yes, they were so cute lounging on my deck in the sun. Then....they dug holes under the house, into the basement and chewed their way out of the basement through the heavy wooden door under the bilco. Twice. Then they brought their friends. Their ugly older friends. I was up to 7. Six will no longer destroy my home. #7 seems to know his fate if he comes back. Petunia, Alfred, Mildred, Max, Genevieve, Sam and Tom