The Groundhog (Marmota
monax), more commonly called a Woodchuck, is a member of the
Sciuridae Family. These large rodents are about 23 inches long
and have a stocky body sitting on short, powerful legs. They
weigh anywhere from 4 to 14 pounds. They are related to squirrels.
These mammals live underground in burrows.
With their powerful legs they can actually dig out a small burrow
in one day. They prefer woodland edges and stream gullies and
fence rows. The burrows have a main entrance and smaller side
entrances. An enlarged chamber underground contains the nest.
Groundhogs hibernate all winter, usually beginning at the end
of October. They emerge from hibernation when the weather warms
up, the timing varies depending upon their location.
Woodchucks are vegetarians. They eat leaves,
flowers, grasses, clover, alfalfa and will go into gardens for
items such as peas, corn and beans. They will even climb trees
for apples.
Groundhogs breed soon after hibernation
and the young are born about 30 days later, usually in March.
There are 2 to 9 young born. The babies, called kits, are born
blind and hairless. They are about 4 inches long at birth. Their
eyes open in about four weeks.
This is Punxsutawn_e the
Groundhog, a Beanie Baby introduced in 2003 on the right.
The groundhog on the left is from Incredible Petables.
Other animals that you can find
in the forest are:
Aardvark | Anteater
| Armadillo | Badgers | Bat
| Beaver | Bears
| Bighorn | Boar
| Bobcat | Chipmunk
| Cougar | Deer
| Elk | Ferret
| Fox | Groundhog
| Hedgehog | Kangaroo
Rat | Lynx | Marmot
| Marten | Moose | Mouse
| Opossum | Otter
| Porcupine | Potbelly
Pig | Rabbit | Raccoon
| Red Wolf | Reindeer
| Squirrel | Sloth
| Skunk | Tapir
| Tarsier | Weasel
| Wolf | Wolverine
