Groundhogs, commonly known as woodchucks, are prevalent burrowing rodents found across much of North America. These stout, medium-sized mammals belong to the squirrel family, Sciuridae, and are recognized by their robust bodies, short legs, and bushy tails. An adult groundhog typically measures between 16 and 26 inches in length, including a tail that can be 4 to 7 inches long. They generally weigh between 4 and 14 pounds, with males often being larger than females. Their fur ranges from yellowish-brown to dark brown or grayish-brown, providing camouflage within their varied habitats.
Their Diet
Groundhogs are primarily herbivorous, consuming a wide array of plant materials. Their diet is adaptable, depending on available plant materials. They frequently graze on wild grasses, clover, and alfalfa, which serve as staples in their diet. They also consume garden vegetables, often leading to conflicts with gardeners.
Specific vegetables that groundhogs enjoy include peas, beans, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, and corn. They also eat fruits like berries, cherries, and apples. While their diet is predominantly plant-based, groundhogs may occasionally supplement it with insects such as June bugs, snails, and grasshoppers. They obtain most hydration from the moisture in plants. Groundhogs increase food intake during summer and fall to build fat reserves for hibernation.
Their Homes
Groundhogs are exceptional diggers, constructing intricate underground burrows. These burrows provide shelter from predators, protection from harsh weather, and spaces for raising their young. They prefer to dig burrows in transitional areas, such as where woodlands meet open fields, or near structures like fencerows and building foundations. The main entrance to a groundhog burrow is typically marked by a noticeable mound of excavated soil and is about 10 to 12 inches in diameter.
Beyond the main opening, a burrow system usually includes one to four additional, less conspicuous entrances that serve as escape routes. The tunnels can extend horizontally for 15 to 25 feet, and the entire system can reach lengths of up to 66 feet and depths of 6 feet. Within this complex network, groundhogs create multiple chambers: a nesting chamber for sleeping and raising young, an escape chamber, and a separate latrine chamber, kept clean by covering waste with soil.
Their Daily Activities
Groundhogs are diurnal, active during the day, particularly in the early morning and late evening. Their daily routines revolve around foraging for food, maintaining their burrows, and remaining vigilant for potential threats. They spend time above ground, grazing on vegetation and sunbathing to regulate body temperature.
Vigilance is key; groundhogs frequently stand upright on their hind legs to survey surroundings for predators, earning them the nickname “whistle-pigs” due to their high-pitched alarm calls. They are also skilled climbers and swimmers, using these abilities to escape danger if their burrow is not immediately accessible. Digging is constant, for constructing new burrows and maintaining existing ones. Grooming helps them keep their dense fur clean and free of parasites.