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The groundhog is in the rodent family. They are also
known as a woodchuck or whistle-pig. Some people
call them land beavers. They belong to the group of
large ground
squirrels known as
marmots.
The
groundhog is a lowland creature. They can be found
throughout
North America and are most common in the
northeastern and central
United States. They can be found as far
north as
Alaska, with their habitat extending
southeast to
Alabama. |
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The groundhog is the largest member of the
family, normally growing 16 to 26 inches long
(including a 6 inch tail) and weighing 4 to 9
pounds. In areas without many natural enemies
and large quantities of
alfalfa, they can grow up to
30 inches and 31 pounds. Groundhogs are really
good diggers, with short powerful limbs and
curved thick claws. Unlike other members of the
family, the groundhog's spine is curved, more
like that of a mole, and the tail is comparably
shorter.
Built for their temperate climate, groundhogs
have two coats of fur: a thick grey undercoat
and a longer coat of banded
guard hairs that gives the groundhog
a "frosted" appearance.
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Groundhogs are mostly vegetarians. They like
fruits and vegetables, and some will eat eggs.
Some will occasionally eat insects, like grubs
and grasshoppers. They will eat a variety of
wild plants, including grasses, clover, alfalfa,
the leaves of some trees (like cherry), and
certain flowers. They eat a lot to build up fat
for the winter sleep.
Similar to squirrels they also have been seen
sitting up eating hickory nuts but they do not
bury them like squirrels. |
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Expert Tunnel Diggers....
Groundhogs are first class burrowers, and use them
for sleeping, raising their young, and hibernating.
The average groundhog has been estimated to move
about 35 cubic feet, or 710 pounds, of dirt when
digging a burrow. Groundhogs are the most solitary
of the marmots; but several may occupy the same
burrow. The burrows usually have two to five
entrances, giving the groundhogs their main means of
escape from enemies. Burrows are especially large,
having up to 46 feet of tunnels buried up to 5 feet
underground. These can be a threat to farm and
residential operations by damaging farm machinery
and could possibly even undermine building
foundations.
Hibernation....
Groundhogs enter into real hibernation, and will
build a special "winter burrow" for this reason. The
winter burrow is normally located in a wooded or
brushy area and is dug below the frost line. This
allows the temperature to stay stable and above
freezing during the winter months. Groundhogs
hibernate from October to March or April, in most
areas, but in more moderate areas, they might
hibernate for as little as 3 months.
During hibernation, they fall into a very deep
sleep. When the temperature gets really cold, their
body temperature will drop to just below freezing,
and their heart beat and breathing slows to a very
low rate.
They eat large quantities of food to be able to
survive their hibernation. They still have some fat
afterwards to hold them over until the spring plants
become plentiful.
Remember,
if the ground is white, the hogs are outta sight!
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Can Groundhogs Climb Trees?...
Groundhogs can swim and climb trees, when
escaping from an enemy. They would rather run to
the burrow when frightened. If that is invaded,
they will defend themselves with their two large
incisors and front claws.
Groundhogs, as a rule, are combative and are
territorial with others of their kind. They may
even scrap with others to show dominance.
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An almost motionless groundhog, alert to
danger, whistles when afraid alarmed to warn
others. It is not unusual to see several
standing on their hind feet to look for
danger.They may squeal when fighting, badly
injured, or captured by an enemy. Groundhogs
may make low barks or grind their teeth to
make a sound. |
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What
Good is a Groundhog?..
Just like other plants and animals,
groundhogs play a role in the great system of
Mother Nature. By digging burrows, the soil is
improved,
(more air and water gets underground, to help
break down the soil to form more valuable
topsoil). Abandoned dens and burrows provide
homes for other animals including foxes and
skunks. These two animals aid farmers by
catching and eating millions of harmful small
rodents and insects that are damaging to farm
crops |
| Hopefully now, you
know more about the groundhog. There is a lot
more but these are the basic points. Thanks for
visiting. |
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