What is this animal?

Prof Young · November 17, 2020, 09:13 PM

This is a trail cam pic from near Williamson County in IL. I think it's a marmot.
Opinions?

Life is good.
Prof Young

lefteye · November 17, 2020, 09:48 PM

I believe you are correct!

ms6852 · November 17, 2020, 11:40 PM

Nope, marmot have a face similar to a prairie dog or squirrel, notice I said similar. This looks like some type of ferrel cat.

Colorado Redneck · November 18, 2020, 12:11 AM

Feral cat? What happened to its ears? I say marmot or prairie dog on steroids.

big al hunter · November 18, 2020, 08:06 AM

Wood chuck. AKA Marmota Monax. AKA Marmot.

Double K · November 18, 2020, 08:59 AM

Baby Chupacabra, rarely caught on film.

jmr40 · November 18, 2020, 01:33 PM

Looks like a ground hog to me. Marmots and ground hogs are closely related cousins. Marmots live in western states, ground hogs in the east.

T. O'Heir · November 18, 2020, 02:09 PM

Marmots and ground hogs are the same critter. They're a giant tree rat. Kind of odd to see one walking that high on its pins though.
No cat looks like that. Feral or otherwise.

Scorch · November 18, 2020, 08:31 PM

Univ of Utah says MARMOT. THis one is the western species, we call them rockchucks.

Tallest · November 19, 2020, 01:05 PM

I have been all over the US, and to Switzerland where they are quite celebrated, and I've never seen a marmot/groundhog rock/woodchuck with legs like that.

Is it possibly a winter weight, light-haired pacific fisher?

T. O'Heir · November 19, 2020, 01:44 PM

Saw one on the side of a tree one time. Never would have thought they would or could climb.
That one might be hold himself up off the snow. They dislike cold and wet and are a true hibernator. The fur is kind of thin.
I have shot 'em off snow banks in early spring though. Earliest one was on 3 March, long ago.
They do have a different name according to where you are. But they're all the same beastie.

jmr40 · November 19, 2020, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Is it possibly a winter weight, light-haired pacific fisher?

Based on the greenery in the photo I'd guess summer time or early Fall, and lighter weight summer coat.

stinkeypete · November 19, 2020, 02:54 PM

That thar looks like a Whistle Pig to me, aka woodchuck, aka marmot.

I have seen some mighty big ones in southern Wi. and some mighty big corresponding holes in the ground.

Tallest · November 20, 2020, 08:49 AM

By winter weight, I meant fattened up.

I agree that it looks like a groundhog/marmot. But I have killed and trapped literally hundreds of those. Not once I have seen legs that would allow one to walk like that.

ms6852 · November 20, 2020, 04:19 PM

I tend to agree with the chupacabra statement. A hybrid possibly with the marmot. The op's picture the head is not like any marmot shown in the picture the head is distinct and round and not as oval and the ears stick out a lot, whereas you can hardly see them here.
Also as stated the legs are taller with the stomach not as pronounced as other marmots.

WyMark · November 20, 2020, 06:33 PM

That definitely ain't a marmot. Could be a fisher cat maybe.

bamaranger · November 20, 2020, 08:09 PM

It's a Marmadoodle!

308Cajun · December 7, 2020, 07:25 PM

It's a Tasmanian Devil!

Geezerbiker · December 7, 2020, 09:34 PM

I must be the only one that thinks it looks a little like a wolverine.

Tony

GarandTd · December 8, 2020, 08:21 AM

I've never seen a groundhog/whistlepig/woodchuck/marmot standing/walking tall like that. The snout doesn't seem pointy enough either.

buck460XVR · December 8, 2020, 08:51 AM

Looks like a young immature woodchucker to me. Ain't no Fisher.

oldbadger · December 8, 2020, 04:48 PM

I am not sure what is pictured here, but I can assure you that groundhogs in northeast Wisconsin do climb. I have an image of my terrier going up a tree after one. The critter met my two terriers in the woods and like this poster I suspect he did not know he could climb until just before he went up the tree. this image is on my computer and if given instruction I would share it here.

Nanuk · December 8, 2020, 09:19 PM

Koala

birdshot · December 9, 2020, 09:19 PM

The eyes look like a predator's eyes to me.

Longshot4 · December 9, 2020, 09:33 PM

Not a ground hog, or a Marmot. Tasmanian Devil would be my first guess. But if we are native I would say one of those invasive species in the Florida swamps. some kind of little African wild Pig. I see a marten from Wy Mark or a Mink.

November 17, 2020, 09:48 PM	#2
lefteye Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 1,433	I believe you are correct! __________________ Vietnam Veteran ('69-'70) NRA Life Member RMEF Life Member

November 17, 2020, 11:40 PM	#3
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	Nope, marmot have a face similar to a prairie dog or squirrel, notice I said similar. This looks like some type of ferrel cat. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

November 18, 2020, 08:06 AM	#5
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	Wood chuck. AKA Marmota Monax. AKA Marmot. __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!

November 18, 2020, 01:33 PM	#7
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	Looks like a ground hog to me. Marmots and ground hogs are closely related cousins. Marmots live in western states, ground hogs in the east. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

November 18, 2020, 02:09 PM	#8
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Marmots and ground hogs are the same critter. They're a giant tree rat. Kind of odd to see one walking that high on its pins though. No cat looks like that. Feral or otherwise. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 18, 2020, 12:11 AM	#4
Colorado Redneck Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: Northeast Colorado Posts: 1,993	Feral cat? What happened to its ears? I say marmot or prairie dog on steroids.

November 18, 2020, 08:59 AM	#6
Double K Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2020 Location: Colorado Posts: 486	Baby Chupacabra, rarely caught on film.

November 18, 2020, 08:31 PM	#9
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Univ of Utah says MARMOT. THis one is the western species, we call them rockchucks. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 19, 2020, 01:05 PM	#10
Tallest Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2016 Location: West of the Atlantic Posts: 418	I have been all over the US, and to Switzerland where they are quite celebrated, and I've never seen a marmot/groundhog rock/woodchuck with legs like that. Is it possibly a winter weight, light-haired pacific fisher? __________________ Matthew "All men are ignorant. The topics of our ignorance may vary, but the nature of the world is that no man may know everything." ~ R Jordan

November 19, 2020, 01:44 PM	#11
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Saw one on the side of a tree one time. Never would have thought they would or could climb. That one might be hold himself up off the snow. They dislike cold and wet and are a true hibernator. The fur is kind of thin. I have shot 'em off snow banks in early spring though. Earliest one was on 3 March, long ago. They do have a different name according to where you are. But they're all the same beastie. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 19, 2020, 02:54 PM	#13
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,291	That thar looks like a Whistle Pig to me, aka woodchuck, aka marmot. I have seen some mighty big ones in southern Wi. and some mighty big corresponding holes in the ground. __________________ My book "The Pheasant Hunter's Action Adventure Cookbook" is now on Amazon. Tall tales, hunting tips, butchering from bird to the freezer, and recipes.

November 20, 2020, 08:49 AM	#14
Tallest Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2016 Location: West of the Atlantic Posts: 418	By winter weight, I meant fattened up. I agree that it looks like a groundhog/marmot. But I have killed and trapped literally hundreds of those. Not once I have seen legs that would allow one to walk like that. __________________ Matthew "All men are ignorant. The topics of our ignorance may vary, but the nature of the world is that no man may know everything." ~ R Jordan

November 20, 2020, 04:19 PM	#15
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	I tend to agree with the chupacabra statement. A hybrid possibly with the marmot. The op's picture the head is not like any marmot shown in the picture the head is distinct and round and not as oval and the ears stick out a lot, whereas you can hardly see them here. Also as stated the legs are taller with the stomach not as pronounced as other marmots. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

November 20, 2020, 06:33 PM	#16
WyMark Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 647	That definitely ain't a marmot. Could be a fisher cat maybe.

November 20, 2020, 08:09 PM	#17
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,296	crossbreed It's a Marmadoodle!

December 7, 2020, 07:25 PM	#18
308Cajun Junior Member Join Date: January 5, 2016 Posts: 11	It's a Tasmanian Devil!

December 7, 2020, 09:34 PM	#19
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	I must be the only one that thinks it looks a little like a wolverine. Tony

December 8, 2020, 08:21 AM	#20
GarandTd Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2016 Location: Rural PA Posts: 1,639	I've never seen a groundhog/whistlepig/woodchuck/marmot standing/walking tall like that. The snout doesn't seem pointy enough either. __________________ 22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp

December 8, 2020, 08:51 AM	#21
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Looks like a young immature woodchucker to me. Ain't no Fisher.

December 8, 2020, 04:48 PM	#22
oldbadger Member Join Date: December 7, 2013 Posts: 52	for poster O'Heir #11 I am not sure what is pictured here, but I can assure you that groundhogs in northeast Wisconsin do climb. I have an image of my terrier going up a tree after one. The critter met my two terriers in the woods and like this poster I suspect he did not know he could climb until just before he went up the tree. this image is on my computer and if given instruction I would share it here. __________________ Laws do not prevent crime or lessen evil. They only allow crime to be identified and possibly punished.

December 8, 2020, 09:19 PM	#23
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	Koala __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

December 9, 2020, 09:19 PM	#24
birdshot Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: north platte nebraska Posts: 344	The eyes look like a predator's eyes to me.

December 9, 2020, 09:33 PM	#25
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	Not a ground hog, or a Marmot. Tasmanian Devil would be my first guess. But if we are native I would say one of those invasive species in the Florida swamps. some kind of little African wild Pig. I see a marten from Wy Mark or a Mink.

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