What on earth is a woodchuck?

Went out with a friend for a celebratory coffee on Thursday afternoon (gotta get excited about successes in the lab!). On our way back to work, we spotted a family of small animals grazing on some lush grass. After some consulation with a long time Ithacan, they were identified as woodchucks.

Thought I'd bring my camera in today to try and get a snap - success! Here, for your viewing pleasure, my friends the woodchucks.