WOODCHUCK  , the

vernacular name of the common North American representative of the marmots (see MARMOT), scientific-ally known as Arctomys monax . The typical race of this species ranges from New York to Georgia and westward to the Dakotas, but it is represented by a second and darker race in Labrador, and by a third in Canada; while several other North American species, have been named . The ordinary woodchuck measures about 18 in. in length, of which the tail forms a third . In colour it is usually brownish black above, with the nose, chin, cheeks and throat tending to whitish, and the under parts brownish chestnut; while the feet and tail are black and blackish . Like other marmots it is a burrower .