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What is this mysterious animal?

Creature spotted in Southfield

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – There are many different kinds of mammals in Michigan from deer to the rarely seen badger and the marmot.

However, a creature spotted Friday in Southfield has people wondering -- what the heck is that?

Local 4 went to the DNR Activity Center where interpreters were perplexed. Beaver? Groundhog? Hyena?!

There was finally a consensus thanks to the folks over at the University of Michigan zoology department. The professors think it's a woodchuck, with the caveat that woodchucks don't stand up as this animal does in the photo.

The woman who took the photo said right after she snapped it the animal took off for some woods near the Rouge River.


About the Author
Jason Colthorp headshot

Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.

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