Brunswick Police ‘Question’ Big Beaver After Its Nighttime Walk Down Maine Street

Is a giant beaver making your wood inadequate? You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. It happens to plenty of people – especially in Brunswick, Maine.

This week, the Brunswick Police Department posted a furry beaver pic on their official Facebook page after receiving calls about a large rodent that could be seen right in the middle of Maine Street.

The beaver, described by the police as “oversized,” was seized without incident. Said officers:

“Not to be confused with Punxsutawney Phil, this 40 pound North American beaver was reluctant to identify himself to law enforcement but eventually gave up his name as ‘Chuck.’  After some questioning, Chuck was placed into custody and transported to the Anniversary Park where he was released to the water ways.”

It remains unclear why someone would confuse “Chuck” with Punxsutawney Phil, as one is a groundhog and the other is a beaver. But it can be easy to confuse two holes, especially when it's dark.

But what are the key differences between a beaver and a woodchuck? According to A-to-Z Animals, beavers can weigh as much as 60 pounds, with groundhogs maxing out around 12. While beavers can be as long as 47 inches, groundhogs are usually only about two feet.

Groundhogs typically stick to drier areas, such as woodlands and gardens. But beavers enjoy getting very wet, and do so by living near rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams.

Comments about the Brunswick beaver on Facebook were largely positive.

Said one resident named Laura: “What a beauty!” But perhaps a poster named Bobbi summed it up best by calling the beaver “huge.”