Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are common North American rodents. These burrowing mammals are primarily herbivores. Their varied eating habits allow them to thrive in diverse environments, from woodlands to open fields and suburban areas. This article explores the specific types of foods groundhogs consume and how these change throughout the year.
Primary Plant-Based Foods
Groundhogs predominantly consume green vegetation. They frequently graze on common field plants such as clover, alfalfa, and dandelions, finding these readily available in their habitats. Grasses also form a substantial part of their daily intake, providing essential fiber and nutrients. Groundhogs prefer tender, succulent plants, which are easier to digest and provide moisture.
Beyond wild plants, groundhogs forage extensively in gardens and agricultural fields. They consume a variety of cultivated vegetables including peas, beans, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, and spinach. Farmers often experience crop damage from groundhogs feasting on corn, soybeans, and squash. A single adult groundhog can consume over a pound of vegetation per day.
Occasional Dietary Choices
While largely herbivorous, groundhogs display opportunistic feeding behaviors, incorporating other items when available. Fruits, particularly berries like blackberries and raspberries, are a favored treat, as are fallen apples and cherries. These provide natural sugars and nutrients, important for building fat reserves. Nuts and grains can also be consumed, though not a primary food source.
On rare occasions, groundhogs may supplement their plant-based diet with small amounts of animal matter. This can include insects such as June bugs and grasshoppers. They might also consume bird eggs or very small invertebrates, but this is not a regular part of their diet. These additions contribute a small protein boost, but groundhogs are not carnivores.
Seasonal Foraging and Eating Habits
A groundhog’s diet and foraging activities shift with the changing seasons. In spring, after emerging from hibernation, they seek fresh, green shoots and tender leaves. During the summer months, their feeding intensifies, often occurring in the mornings and late afternoons as they consume garden vegetables and field crops. This period of heavy feeding is crucial for building up their energy reserves.
As late summer transitions into fall, groundhogs continue to feed heavily on high-energy foods to accumulate fat, vital for their upcoming hibernation. Their weight increases significantly. When other plant sources become scarce in the fall, they may turn to tree bark and twigs. Groundhogs typically forage close to their burrows, usually within 150 feet. They do not eat during winter hibernation, relying on stored fat.