A woodchuck is a stocky, burrowing rodent also called a groundhog. These furry animals, about the size of a house cat, live throughout much of North America and are famous for digging extensive underground tunnel systems with multiple rooms and entrances.

Woodchucks are vegetarians that munch on grasses, clover, and garden plants, which doesn't always make them popular with farmers and gardeners. They're most active in early morning and evening, and they hibernate during winter months, usually sleeping underground from October through March.

Despite the name, woodchucks don't actually throw wood or even interact with it much. They just dig burrows in fields and meadows.

You've probably heard the famous tongue twister: “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” The answer? None, because woodchucks don't chuck wood at all. The phrase exists purely because it's fun and challenging to say quickly.

Every February 2nd, a famous woodchuck named Punxsutawney Phil is said to predict whether spring will come early or winter will last six more weeks, based on whether he seems to see his shadow.