Woodchuck

Woodchuck key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

4–6 years wild; up to 10 in captivity (record 14)

Size

41.5–67.5cm long (tail 10–16cm); 2–6kg

Diet

Mainly herbivorous: alfalfa, clover, dandelion; some insects

Housing

Wild animals dig separate summer and winter dens with several exits. It digs powerfully, so give a large, sturdy enclosure it cannot dig out of, and a den box.

Diet

Favourites are alfalfa, clover and dandelion. Base the diet on hay and leafy greens and weigh it regularly as it gains in autumn.

Temperament

A solitary animal that arches its back and bares its teeth when threatened. Keep singly, and handle with care: a bite from so large a rodent is serious.

Temperature

Wild marmots fatten in autumn and hibernate for months. Decide with an exotic-animal vet in advance whether to let a captive animal hibernate, and how to manage temperature and weight if you do.

Regulations

As a squirrel it needs a species-name certificate on import, and imports fall under the animal import notification system.

Notes

It can live over 10 years and few vets treat it; find one first. Never release captive animals into the wild.

About Woodchuck

The woodchuck is North America's most widely distributed marmot: a stocky, solitary, long-hibernating animal of 2 to 6 kg. Rated for experienced keepers. Learn its traits, care basics and what to know before bringing one home.

7 things to know before welcoming a Woodchuck

1. 1Made for experienced keepers

   The woodchuck is rated for experienced keepers. It is large and strong, so it cannot be handled like a typical small pet. It suits people who already have animal-keeping experience and can spare both time and space.

2. 2Big body, real strength

   Adults reach 41.5 to 67.5 cm in total length (tail 10 to 16 cm) and 2 to 6 kg in weight. Despite the stocky look, they are strong, so cages and enclosures must be sturdy. Plan your setup around the full adult size.

3. 3Digging and housing

   In the wild woodchucks live in burrows they dig themselves, so digging and gnawing are deeply rooted instincts. Provide a place where it can dig, and build an enclosure that resists chewing and escape attempts. Letting one roam freely indoors may damage furniture and walls.

4. 4A solitary temperament

   Woodchucks live alone in the wild and are not sociable herd animals. Watch each individual's temperament and respect its personal space instead of forcing contact. It may bite when it feels threatened, so handle it with care.

5. 5Plant-based diet

   Woodchucks are herbivores that eat mainly grasses, leaves and vegetables. In the wild they build up fat before hibernation, so watch for overfeeding and obesity in captivity. It is reassuring to plan the diet with an experienced veterinarian or breeder.

6. 6Living with hibernation

   In the wild woodchucks hibernate for a long period each winter. Even in captivity, activity and appetite may change with the seasons, and how this plays out can vary with the environment and the individual. Talk to the breeder and to a veterinarian who treats such animals before you bring one home.

7. 7A long-term commitment

   Lifespan is 4 to 6 years in the wild and up to 10 years in captivity, with a record of 14 years. Consider whether you can keep caring for it over the long term, including changes in your family and housing. Find a vet who can treat it in advance, and ask the seller about the animal's rearing environment and history.

Frequently asked questions about Woodchuck

Q.Can a beginner keep a woodchuck?

A.Its care level is rated for experienced keepers, so it is hard to recommend to first-time pet owners. It is large and has strong digging and gnawing instincts, which means you need suitable facilities and plenty of time. Gaining experience with other small animals first, and talking to a breeder, is a sensible path.

Q.How big does a woodchuck get?

A.Adults measure 41.5 to 67.5 cm in total length (tail 10 to 16 cm) and weigh 2 to 6 kg. They have a stocky build and grow larger than most small pets, so plan their housing around the adult size.

Q.How long does a woodchuck live?

A.Woodchucks live 4 to 6 years in the wild and up to 10 years in captivity, with a record of 14 years. Because you may be caring for one for a long time, think ahead about how your life could change.

Q.Do they hibernate? What about in captivity?

A.Yes, in the wild they hibernate for a long period each winter. How hibernation plays out in captivity may vary with the environment and the individual, so consult the breeder and a veterinarian who treats such animals before bringing one home.

Q.Can I keep several, or with other pets?

A.Woodchucks live alone in the wild, so it is safer not to assume several can share one space. Living with other pets also calls for careful judgment, given the woodchuck's digging and gnawing habits and size differences.

Useful tools for Woodchuck care

Learn more about Woodchuck in the encyclopedia

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