We live in a part of Chicago where there are many open spaces. Last year we saw animals that looked like cats bot move differently. At first I thought they were racoons but they are small- the size of housecats- and have bushy tails with no rings. They seem broiwnish or grayish and are only seen at dusk or after dark. They don't have black circles around their eyes, but rather black lines under their eyes. My husband and I saw one swinging in a tree. What are they

Woodchucks would be about that size, brownish, short bushy tails, and occasionally climb trees. They like open areas with well drained soil to dig their burrows. If you see the animals again and can get a picture, please send it in, and we'll get a positive ID on them.