Around here, the (evil Nazi) groundhog is also called woodchuck and whistle pig.
The bluegill, one of earth’s tastiest fish, has a host of names. I’m told that Missouri anglers throw them away! Heavens! You might as well throw away asparagus as a weed! :eek:
Where my family come from, “groundhog” and “woodchuck” are synonymous (fat rodent about the size of a smallish beaver, but without the flat tail), but a “gopher” is a much smaller critter (about squirrel-sized) similar to a prarie dog. And that’s for western PA, which ought to be authoritative for the groundhog at least.
And I think that “painter” is a regional pronounciation of “panther”, for what it’s worth.