Despite its name, the Yellow-bellied Marmot (or Rock Chuck) has the capability to inflict very nasty wounds if provoked.
Originally identified in 1841 by John James Audubon and John Bachman -- both men were later shred to pieces by the creature -- the highly territorial and Machiavellian rodent (also known as Marmota Flaviventris) was recently featured on Animal Planet as the Second-Most-Dangerous-Omnivore behind the fearsome Grizzly Bear.
Although the term "yellow-bellied" was first used to describe the underside of the animal, innumerable victims have mistakenly inferred that it means "cowardly" instead.
In a particularly horrific and previously-unpublicized incident that took place on the set of Warner Brothers Animation in 1989, actor 'Yosemite Sam' lost his life at the age of 44 after sticking his head inside a canvas bag with the rodent. His last words were: "Why, you're nothing but a yellow-bellied marmot..."
