Beaver vs. Groundhog: Brown Rodents With Very Different Homes

Beavers are large, aquatic rodents known for their dam-building skills. Groundhogs — also called woodchucks, whistle pigs, thickwood badgers or even land beavers — are marmots that live on land.

Both animals are often confused with each other because of their similar size and appearance, but they belong to different species.

Beavers live in rivers, streams and ponds where they build dams and lodges using wood and mud. Their structures help regulate water flow and create wetlands that benefit other wildlife like fish and birds.

Groundhogs prefer well-drained soil in open fields, forest edges and even suburban yards. They create complex dens with separate chambers for nesting and hibernation.

These burrowing animals can be found in gardens, under sheds or near foundations, making them common pests for homeowners. Skunks, raccoons and snakes often use abandoned groundhog dens for shelter.

Beavers are heavyweights, sometimes weighing over 66 pounds (30 kg). They have webbed feet for swimming and large, flat tails that act like rudders. Groundhogs are smaller, generally under 15 pounds (7 kg), with short legs and bushy tails.

Both animals have strong teeth for gnawing, but beavers use theirs primarily on wood, while groundhogs chew through roots and plants.

Beavers eat trees, bark and aquatic plants. Their diet helps them survive winters by storing wood in ponds.

Groundhogs are more omnivorous. They eat plants, berries, garden vegetables and occasionally insects, small animals or baby birds. Groundhogs can devastate gardens and even eat garden plants right down to the roots.

While beavers focus on water-based vegetation, groundhogs forage on land. Both animals play a role in their ecosystems by recycling organic material and serving as prey for predators like foxes, coyotes and birds of prey.

Beavers live in family units and are highly territorial. They often mate for life and raise one litter per year. Groundhogs are more solitary and don't share burrows with other groundhogs or animals. They also raise one litter annually and are active during the day.

Beavers are active year-round, even under ice, while groundhogs hibernate in winter. In spring, groundhogs emerge and begin foraging to regain lost weight.

Beavers are often praised for their positive environmental impact, but their dams can flood roads and yards. Groundhogs are usually seen as nuisances that undermine soil stability and damage plants.

Both species are sometimes trapped or relocated to reduce conflict with humans.

Some people mistake beavers for groundhogs when they spot a rodent in the wild. The best way to distinguish them is by location: Near water likely means beaver, while digging in a yard or garden usually points to a groundhog.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.