Woodchuck

Marmota monax

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAFB03010
Common Name: 
Woodchuck
Scientific Name: 
Marmota monax
Synonyms: 
Gopher
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Rodentia
Family: 
Sciuridae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

11 months at earliest, usually 24 months.
References: 
B112

Longevity

Maximum in captivity = 10 years; in wild 6 years maximum.
References: 
B112

Economic/Human Considerations

Agricultural pests (eat oats and corn), burrows are dangerous.
References: 
B001
Habitat
Dry soils in open woodlands, thickets, rocky slopes, fields, and clearings, thriving in cleared areas.
References: 
B112
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B112

Distribution

8% of the NWT
Score: 
F = 2
References: 
B112

Number of Occurrences

Score: 
E = >
References: 
H126

Area of Occupancy

Increasing into cleared / deforested areas (B084). May increase due to oil/gas - land clearing (H122).
Score: 
-
References: 
H122
H126-05
Population

Population Size

A few thousand?
Score: 
EG =
References: 
H126

Density

Optimum habitat = 6 per acre.
Trends

Trends

Increasing (H122)? Seen more along roads in South Slave (H126).
References: 
H122
H126-05
Threats

Threats

Flooding of dens during hibernation.
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B001
B112

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Human activity beneficial to woodchuck habitat .
Score: 
-
References: 
B001
B112
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5?
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by M. Bradley. Reviewed in 2004, no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Bradley, M (1999) Personnal Communication. Biologist / Wood Buffalo National Park, Fort Smith, NT - H122 Return
  • Suzanne Carriere (2005) Pers. Comm.. - H126-05 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Habitat

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Longevity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Population Size

Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Range Extent

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Bradley, M (1999) Personnal Communication. Biologist / Wood Buffalo National Park, Fort Smith, NT - H122 Return
  • Suzanne Carriere (2005) Pers. Comm.. - H126-05 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return