Diet: Though they have similar diets, groundhogs occasionally eat insects and other small creatures, while beavers do not.Groundhogs can be found in forests and grasslands, whereas beavers are always found near a water source. What’s more, they typically live in different habitats. and Canada, and they are also found in parts of Europe and Asia. Beavers, on the other hand, are found throughout the U.S. Distribution and habitat: As noted, groundhogs are primarily found in the eastern U.S.Beavers weigh up to 60 pounds and can grow nearly 4 feet long, while groundhogs typically weigh 10 to 12 pounds and are 1 to 2 feet long.
Size: Though both relatively large for rodents, beavers are much larger than groundhogs.Groundhogs belong to the Marmota genus in the Sciuridae family, while beavers belong to the Castor in the Castoridae family. Scientific families: Though they are both rodents, groundhogs and beavers belong to different classes of rodents.They both have sharp front “buck teeth.” though the beaver’s teeth are orange while the groundhog’s teeth are not. Physical characteristics: In addition to their coloring, groundhogs and beavers share other physical characteristics, such as their round ears, short, stubby legs, and dark eyes.Coloring: Both beavers and groundhogs are covered with brown fur.In fact, they are both some of the largest rodents in the world. Both rodents: Both beavers and groundhogs are large rodents.Now that we have a better idea of what groundhogs and beavers are, let’s take a closer look at some of their similarities and differences. Beaver: Similarities and Differences Beaver They eat primarily leaves, flowers, berries, and other plant foods, though in the winter especially they will also eat the soft inner bark of trees. Because they spend so much time in the water, they are almost always found near rivers, streams, lakes, swamps, and marshlands.īeavers are herbivores. They tend to retreat to their lodges or dams, which are in the water, anytime they sense they are in danger.īeavers are found throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in parts of Europe and Asia. They waddle around on all fours on land, but they spend a lot of time in the water and are graceful swimmers.īeavers can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes while completely submerged under the water. By damming up sources of flowing water, they create swamps, marshlands, and artificial ponds, where they build lodges and live in families.Īt first glance, beavers look similar to groundhogs, but they are much larger, generally darker in color, and have flat, hairless tails. These creatures are known for their flat tails, orange teeth, and dam-building skills.īeavers use their teeth to fell trees, stripping them of leaves and smaller branches then lauling the trunks and larger branches to the water to build dams. What is a Beaver?īeavers are the second largest rodent in the world, trailing only the capybara of Africa. They also occasionally eat insects, snails, and even small birds, so they are technically considered omnivores. They are primarily herbivorous, eating plant foods like flowers, leaves, grass, wild lettuce, and tree bark. They are most commonly found in grasslands, highlands, and forests. Groundhogs live mostly in the eastern United States and Canada. They are covered in soft brown fur, have small rounded ears, and typically walk on all fours unless they are threatened or standing on their back legs to get a better view of their surroundings. Groundhogs are stocky and look somewhat like large, brown squirrels. Like other marmots, they dig burrows which serve as their homes, hibernation sites, mating dens, and places of escape. Groundhogs are known by various names, including whistle pig and woodchuck. Marmots are a class of rodents known for their bulky build and their proficiency at building tunnels. Beaver: Similarities and DifferencesĪ groundhog is a rodent considered to be one of the “largest marmots in the world”.
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