Woodchuck Vs. Beaver: Differences, How To Tell Them Apart?

Many people discuss the subject of woodchuck vs. beaver because these two animals look the same at first glance. However, many things tell them apart. We will discuss these words and everything you ought to know about them.

A woodchuck is a rodent of the Sciuridae family that lives on land. In contrast, a beaver is an aquatic rodent with a broad, flat tail & webbed feet. It belongs to the Castor genus. Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents, while woodchucks are land rodents. Also, they differ in their feet, tails, & size.

Woodchucks and beavers are related animals with many physical similarities and also differences. But again, there is more to these words than the aspect of them being “animals.” This post will compare and contrast the words to know all about “woodchuck” and “beaver.”

Definitions Of Woodchuck And Beaver

When it comes to differentiating animals, most people turn to images. However, the dictionary can be a fantastic resource for differentiating words, including animal names. So, here are the definitions of woodchuck and beaver, according to popular English dictionaries.

Definition Of Woodchuck

A woodchuck is a large burrowing rodent, scientifically known as the Marmota Monax, and commonly found in North and East America. The woodchuck has short legs, a stocky body, and grayish brown fur. Here is an example sentence, “My dog caught a woodchuck in the forest yesterday.”

Another definition for the woodchuck is “a rodent in the Sciuridae family, in a large squirrel group called Marmots.” In a sentence, “The woodchuck startled the guests when it came in through the window.”

Definition Of Beaver

A beaver is an aquatic rodent of the castor genus, with a flat, broad tail and webbed feet. Also, a beaver has sharp incisors for gnawing tree barks and fallen trees. An example in a sentence is, “The beaver is one of the most interesting animals I have encountered during our forest tour.”

Another definition for beaver is “a hat of various shapes and sizes, made from felted beaver fur or silk.” For example, in a sentence, “The beaver was fashionable between the 1550s and 1850s.”

Beaver is also “a heavy cloth of felted wool, commonly used for overcoats and various garments.” In a sentence, “I bought a beaver overcoat at the mall for less than a hundred dollars.”

As a verb, the colloquial meaning of the word “beaver” is “to constantly and conscientiously work hard.” Here is an example in a sentence, “Lately, I have become a beaver in my internship place.”

Another common definition is “a brown color like that of the beaver’s fur.” Here is how you can use this word in a sentence, “The dirty carpet has a weird beaver color.”

Some dictionaries define “beaver” as “a man who wears a beard.” Let’s look at an example in a sentence, “The beaver standing at the corner is my ex-boyfriend.” Note: The alternative spelling for beaver is “bevor.”

How To Properly Use Woodchuck And Beaver In A Sentence

The words “beaver” and “woodchuck” are nouns. Therefore, they are the easiest words to use in sentences. However, you may still benefit from the tips below:

How To Use The Word Woodchuck

Use this word in a sentence when referring to a rodent of the Sciuridae family. However, before using this word, you should understand the woodchuck’s characteristics so you do not misuse the term.

How To Use The Word Beaver

Use this word in a sentence as a verb in the following contexts:

As a verb:

• To apply tremendous and consistent effort towards a task or goal, e.g., “I need to be a beaver to complete this project on time.”
• To persevere or continue with a task despite it being tedious or menial. 

As a noun:

• Someone who works hard, e.g., “Since her suspension, Jana has turned into a beaver.”
• Someone with facial hair.
• An aquatic rodent of the castor genus.

You can also use this word to refer to the fur of the beaver. In a sentence, “My favorite beaver coat got damaged in the washer.” Whether the fur is in a cloth or the animal itself, the word’s usage applies accordingly.

Woodchuck Vs. Beaver: More Things That Tell Them Apart

From the definition above, you know that the beaver and woodchuck are different. However, what the two have in common is that they are rodents. So, let’s look at elements that differentiate these rodents:

Physical Appearance

Both rodents have brown fur and a stocky build. However, the beaver has a flat, rudder-like tail and yellow incisors. In contrast, the woodchuck is typically short, has a bushy tail, and has white front teeth. Also, woodchucks weigh between 10 to 25 pounds, while beavers are heavier, weighing around 50 pounds.

Behaviors And Lifespan

Beavers are nocturnal animals. This means that they are active at night and inactive during the day. In contrast, woodchucks are more active during the day than at night.

Regarding their lifespan, woodchucks have a shorter one than beavers. The average lifespan of a woodchuck is two to five years, while a beaver can live up to 10 years or longer. Note that wild rodents have a shorter lifespan than captive ones.

Habitat

Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents that prefer living near water bodies like rivers and bonds. In contrast, woodchucks dwell in forested or grassland areas. They also burrow or dig underground tunnels as homes.

Origin

Woodchucks are native to North America. On the other hand, beavers are native to Asia, Europe, and North America. So, you can determine whether what you see is a beaver or woodchuck, depending on your location. However, there are a few scenarios where you may see them away from their native habitat.

Species

Another difference between the beaver and woodchuck is their species. The beaver belongs to the Costoridae family, while the woodchuck is in the Sciuridae family, the same family as squirrels. Additionally, the Sciuridae family is larger than the Castoridae family.

Examples Of Woodchuck And Beaver Use In Sentences

You can now tell apart the beaver from the woodchuck from the content above. Also, you can use these words in sentences when referring to things beyond specific animals. Here are some examples:

Example sentences of the word woodchuck

1. During my research, I encountered a woodchuck in Asia, which was quite surprising as these animals primarily dwell in North America.
2. The hunter stretched the woodchuck’s skin upon the backyard as a trophy.
3. My dog dragged a dead woodchuck from the woods and hid it under my son’s bed.
4. The archeologists found several tunnels dug by woodchucks in the forested area.
5. I am positive that I saw a woodchuck in my backyard last night.

Example sentences of the word beaver

1. The beaver undercoat costs more than a thousand dollars because of how rare the beaver fur is.
2. Jane was an eager beaver when he first took up acting until she experienced stage fright during her first show.
3. According to the Geographic channel, the beaver is the largest of all North American rodents.
4. The beaver hat was once a fashionable accessory, but it is currently tough to find.
5. The Madrigal family visited Asia, so they could illegally poach beavers for their undercoat factory.

Conclusion

Most people encounter beavers and woodchucks when they cause damage to their property. For instance, beavers fell trees on people’s lawns with their dams. In contrast, woodchucks eat garden plants. However, these rodents are so cunning and run away so fast that you may not tell them apart, no matter how many times you see them. So we hope that the content in this article will help you differentiate them the next time you encounter either of them.