Woodchucks/Groundhogs

Introduction

Introduce Woodchuck/groundhog (Marmota monax) facts:

• Groundhogs are also called woodchucks or whistle pigs.  They are members of the squirrel family.
• Groundhogs got their name because of their squat appearance, waddling gait, they eat like a pig, and they live in the ground. They can also climb trees and swim!
• Groundhogs are rodents with powerful legs and long, bushy tails. They have small, rounded ears that they can use to cover the ear opening when they are chucking dirt.
• Groundhogs are diurnal — meaning they come out during the day and sleep at night. Their favorite pastimes are basking in the sun, eating, and sleeping.
• In Iowa, all wild groundhogs are safe and snug in their burrows sleeping away during the winter. When they do wake, they won’t be looking for their shadow — they will be looking for a mate and food.
• The famous weather forecaster who lives in Pennsylvania is Punxsutawney Phil
• Groundhogs make a nest from dried plant materials deep within their burrow.
• During hibernation, a groundhog’s body temperature will drop as low as 37 degrees—just above freezing. Its heart beats only 4-5 times a minute. It will breathe once every four minutes. When its body slows down like this, the groundhog can go without food or water for 5 months.
• When alarmed, a groundhog will whistle a shrill call. When angered, it will chatter. When fighting, groundhogs will squeal or growl.
• Groundhogs are almost complete vegetarians—eating leaves, flowers, grasses, peas, beans, corn, and apples. They also eat the bark of trees, and sometimes may eat grasshoppers, and other bugs, snails, and eggs.
• Groundhogs can chuck a lot of soil. They dig with their front feet and claws. A full-grown groundhog can dig a 12-foot burrow in only a few hours. When building a full-size burrow it may clear out 700 pounds of soil.