The woodchuck, also known as the groundhog, is a widespread North American rodent known for its burrowing habits and generalized diet. Its feeding strategy is designed to maximize energy intake from available vegetation. The diet of this mammal is extensive, shifting seasonally as different wild and cultivated plants become available throughout the year. This flexible approach allows the woodchuck to thrive in diverse environments, from open fields and forests to suburban lawns and gardens.
The Core Diet: Primary Plant Sources
The foundational component of a woodchuck’s diet consists almost entirely of herbaceous plants, which are non-woody, leafy greens. Woodchucks are selective grazers that prefer fresh, succulent vegetation over tougher, dried-out material. They can consume up to 1.5 pounds of vegetation in a single day.
A significant portion of their foraging targets common and nutritious wild species. Favorite foods include the broad leaves of plantain and the common dandelion. They also frequently graze on grasses, such as timothy and Kentucky bluegrass, along with legumes like clover and alfalfa, which provide concentrated protein. Other commonly consumed plants are goldenrod, asters, and various wild peas. Woodchucks constantly seek out new growth, as tender shoots and leaves are easier to digest and higher in moisture content.
Dietary Variety: Non-Vegetable Foods
While the woodchuck is overwhelmingly a vegetarian, its diet is occasionally supplemented by a small number of non-plant items. These instances are opportunistic and represent less than one percent of their total food intake. The most common non-plant additions are insects, such as grasshoppers, June bugs, and snails, which are consumed if easily encountered during grazing.
In the early spring, before fresh vegetation emerges, woodchucks may consume tree buds and the bark of deciduous shrubs and trees. This behavior provides a temporary source of nutrition during a period of scarcity. Woodchucks rarely drink standing water, as they derive necessary hydration directly from the moisture content within the plants they eat.
Woodchucks and the Garden Menu
The woodchuck’s opportunistic feeding behavior often brings it into conflict with human interests, leading them to raid cultivated areas like vegetable gardens. These animals show a strong preference for the young, tender growth found in human-tended crops, which offer a readily available and nutrient-dense food source.
Specific garden produce they target includes:
- The leaves and pods of beans and peas
- The tops of carrots
- Leafy greens such as lettuce, broccoli, and cabbage
As summer progresses into early fall, the woodchuck’s consumption becomes intense, driven by the need to prepare for the winter months. During this seasonal gorging, they actively seek out high-calorie foods to build up the fat reserves required for hibernation. They will readily eat fruits and starchy crops, including:
- Apples
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Corn
- Potatoes