The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The hoary marmot is common to much of the 'alpine' region of Montana and is often referred to as the "Montana Ground Hog." Full grown hoary marmots are about the same size as a midwestern ground hog/woodchuck. Also called 'rock chucks,' this species of Montana marmot gets its name from the silver-gray hair on its shoulders and back. Ground hogs/woodchucks, a separate species, tend to be dark brown with black feet and legs. The only recorded sighting of a ground hog in Montana occurred in 1895 near the state line with Idaho.