Groundhogs are common burrowing animals found across North America, often making their homes in yards, fields, and near structures. Their burrows have specific characteristics that help identify their activity and differentiate them from other wildlife homes.
Identifying Features of Groundhog Burrows
Groundhog burrows are underground systems, and their main entrance is typically noticeable. These primary openings usually measure between 8 to 12 inches in diameter, sometimes appearing oval or kidney-shaped, and often slope downwards into the earth.
A clear indicator of an active groundhog burrow is the presence of a distinctive fan-shaped mound of fresh dirt directly outside the main entrance. This excavated soil, which can include small stones or roots, accumulates into a substantial pile. Studies indicate that the volume of earth removed from a groundhog burrow can average around 6 cubic feet, with some excavated material weighing up to 275 pounds.
Beyond the main opening, groundhog burrows often incorporate one or more secondary entrances. These additional openings are typically smaller and less conspicuous, often hidden within dense vegetation, under bushes, or near rocks, and importantly, they lack the prominent dirt mound associated with the primary entry point. Groundhogs may construct several burrows, sometimes with two to five entrances, or even up to a dozen in complex systems.
Groundhog burrows are commonly found in specific locations, often chosen for their well-drained soil and proximity to food sources. They frequently establish dens near building foundations, under sheds, fences, large rocks, or at the edges of wooded areas and open fields. Other signs of groundhog activity near the burrow can include flattened grass paths leading to the entrance or gnaw marks on nearby plants as they forage.
Comparing Groundhog Holes to Other Animal Dens
Distinguishing groundhog holes from those of other burrowing animals requires attention to specific details. Skunk holes, for instance, are generally smaller than groundhog burrows, typically measuring about 3 to 4 inches in diameter. These holes often appear neater and can be cone-shaped, frequently lacking the large, fan-shaped dirt mound characteristic of a groundhog.
Rabbit burrows are usually smaller and more shallow than groundhog dens, often appearing as a simple scrape or a small, neat hole. Many animals, including rabbits, may also repurpose abandoned groundhog burrows rather than digging their own.
Fox and coyote dens can sometimes be confused with groundhog burrows due to their size, with fox den entrances ranging from 6 to 12 inches and coyote dens potentially even larger. Foxes frequently take over existing burrows, including those originally dug by groundhogs. A fox den might also feature scattered prey remains, such as feathers or bones, or a musky odor, and the excavated dirt may be more haphazardly dispersed rather than neatly mounded.
Opossums and raccoons are less inclined to dig extensive burrows, often preferring to use natural cavities, existing structures, or abandoned groundhog holes for shelter. Their presence typically does not involve a fresh, prominent dirt pile at an entrance like that of an actively digging groundhog. The combination of a large entrance, the distinctive fan-shaped dirt mound, and the typical location near fields or structures makes groundhog holes unique among common backyard burrows.