Marmota monax
Also called woodchucks, these large rodents can devastate vegetable gardens. Excellent climbers and diggers. Hibernate in winter.
Large rodent, 5-14 pounds, brown fur, short legs, bushy tail. Burrow entrances 10-12 inches wide with mound of dirt. Active during day.
Large quantities of vegetables eaten. Plants eaten to ground. Burrow damage to lawns and foundations. Can consume 1-1.5 pounds of vegetation daily.
Hibernate October through February. Breed in spring, 4-6 young born April-May. Young disperse in summer. Most active morning and late afternoon.
Install fence before planting. Bury fence 1 foot deep with bottom bent outward. Add floppy extension at top. Remove brush and debris that provide cover.