The molting process begins at the tail and head at the same time. The molt progresses down from the head and up from the tail until it meets in the middle where it is completed. During this process hair seems blotchy because the new hair is brighter. Albinism and melanism does occur in woodchucks. Albinism occurs from a recessive gene received by one of the parents, who can be of normal coloration.
Melanism is from an abundance of dark pigment in the skin and hair.
When a woodchuck hears or sees a predator, they will make a shrill whistle to warn others of the pending danger. The scientific name genus and species, of woodchucks is Marmota monax. They belong to the Order Rodentia and Family Sciuridae. Like all rodents, woodchucks have no canine teeth or fangs and are bucktoothed. This classifies them as gnawing mammals, a main characteristic of the Order Rodentia.