Muskrat vs Groundhog: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve spotted a furry, burrowing animal near your pond or backyard, you might be wondering—is it a muskrat or a groundhog? While they may look alike at a glance, these two animals are very different in how they live, where they live, and what kind of problems they cause.

This guide breaks down the major differences between muskrats and groundhogs so you can easily identify which one you’re dealing with—and what to do about it if they become a pest.

What’s the Difference Between a Muskrat and a Groundhog?

The main difference is habitat: muskrats live in and around water, while groundhogs live on dry land in fields, gardens, and near foundations. Muskrats are also semi-aquatic rodents with long, flat tails. Groundhogs (also known as woodchucks) have short, bushy tails and are land-dwelling diggers.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

How to Identify a Muskrat

Muskrats are smaller than groundhogs and are built for swimming. You’ll find them near water—never too far from a pond, stream, or marsh.

Key traits to watch for:

• Long, skinny, almost hairless tail that moves side to side in the water
• Webbed hind feet for swimming
• Burrow entrances in pond banks or near water
• Often seen swimming low in the water with just their head and back visible

Muskrats rarely stray far from water. If the animal you saw is near a pond or ditch, it’s most likely a muskrat.

How to Identify a Groundhog

Groundhogs are land animals that burrow deep into dry soil. They prefer open areas like fields, gardens, or even under sheds and porches.

Here’s what to look for:

• Chunky body with short legs and a flat face
• Short, fluffy tail
• Large, crescent-shaped burrow holes near buildings or trees
• Active during the day, especially in the morning and late afternoon

If the animal is digging under your shed or destroying your garden, it’s almost definitely a groundhog.

Do Muskrats or Groundhogs Cause More Damage?

Groundhogs usually cause more property damage than muskrats. Their deep tunnels can weaken foundations, damage gardens, and even collapse structures.

Groundhog damage includes:

• Chewed plants and vegetables
• Burrows under homes, decks, or sheds
• Soil erosion and property shifting

Muskrat damage includes:

• Damaging pond banks or levees
• Undermining water edges or ditches
• Rarely affects gardens or homes directly

If you’re unsure how much it might cost to handle either pest, use this pest control cost calculator to get an instant estimate based on your problem and location.

Can You Trap Both Animals the Same Way?

No. Trapping muskrats and groundhogs requires different tools and approaches.

For Groundhogs:

• Use a live animal trap (at least 32″ long)
• Bait with cantaloupe, apples, or lettuce
• Place trap at burrow entrance or along paths

For Muskrats:

• Use colony traps or underwater traps near den entrances
• Best set by water trapping professionals
• Legal restrictions may apply in your area

If you’re not sure what kind of trap to use or how much professional help will cost, get a custom estimate here.

Which One Do You Have?

Use this quick reference:

• It’s a muskrat if: It’s near water, swimming, has a long skinny tail, and burrows in banks.
• It’s a groundhog if: It’s in your yard or under your deck, chubby, and has a short tail.

Conclusion: Know Your Critter Before You Act

Muskrats and groundhogs may look similar, but they behave very differently. Muskrats live in water and usually stay out of your way. Groundhogs dig under buildings and eat your garden.

If your property is at risk, take the right steps early. Not sure what kind of removal you need or how much it’ll cost? Use this fast pest control calculator to get clear, instant answers.

Don’t guess—identify the animal, then act before the damage gets worse.