TOPEKA (KSNT) — While fat bears made international headlines this year, another North American mammal is working to pack on the pounds for winter. You might even see one in your own backyard.
Todd Volkmann is the exhibit caretaker at the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit in Wichita. He oversees the care of native animals.
“They gain a lot of weight. I know fat bear gets all the attention, but woodchucks are right there, or groundhogs or whatever you want to call them,” Volkmann said. “They’re also marmots. A favorite name: whistle pigs. I haven’t heard very many people call them that, but it’s kind of an endearing name. Groundhogs and woodchucks are the same thing.”…