The groundhog does take part in hibernating during the colder times of the year. Groundhogs must put on a thick layer of fat to survive their hibernation through the winter months. Groundhogs prefer to live along forest edges where timbered areas are bordered by open fields. Groundhogs typically live three to six years in the wild, but have been reported to live for up to fourteen years in captivity. What to do about woodchucks the humane society of the united. February 2nd is groundhog day, and tradition has it that if the hibernating groundhog climbs out of his burrow and sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter, if he doesnt see his shadow, spring will come soon. Being one of the few species that hibernate, groundhogs usually build burrows in wooded or brushy areas that is dug below the frost line for them to remain at a stable temperature well above freezing during the winter months.
Groundhogs are among the few species of true hibernators. Groundhogs are herbivorous and love almost all vegetable matter. I didnt realize that groundhogs hibernate, nor could i imagine the intricacy of their tunnel passageways that can extend five feet below the ground. Groundhogs are a common backyard pest in alaska, canada, and the eastern united states. You can call them alabama groundhogs, but theyre more often referred to as woodchucks in these parts updated jan 14, 2019. Groundhogs marmota monax are vegetarian, dirtdwelling north american rodents the size of small dogs.
This is the part of their behavior that has led to north american groundhog day tradition. Groundhogs live 45 years in the wild, but can live ten or more years in captivity. I have a lady whos asked me to come over and shoot groundhogs on her property, but i never made it over there this summer. Id still like to go over, but i dont know if theyve started hibernating yet. If someone has a pet groundhog, and they keep it in a cage, does it hibernate. In captivity, groundhogs reportedly live up to 14 years.
You can call them alabama groundhogs, but theyre more. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Heres what groundhogs will do if winter goes long live science. While that has earned them the ire of farmers and gardeners alike, it is this very feeding habit that comes to their rescue when they hibernate during the cold months. Although there are records of groundhogs living more than 20 years in captivity, the average age in the wild is 36 years. In parts of the united states, tradition dictates that a particular groundhog has the power to predict the length of winter weather.
Learn what really happens when groundhogs emerge from hibernation. It is not unusual to see some groundhogs out during the winter, particularly during periods of extreme warmup. Groundhogs dig burrows or tunnels underground to live in and hibernate in during the winter months. While hibernating, a woodchucks body temperature can drop from about 99 degrees to as low as 37 humans go into mild hypothermia when. While punxsutawney phil emerges from his burrow every year before deciding whether or not he will continue to hibernate, has. Sleep tight, groundhog a book about animals that hibernate in winter kindle edition by bale jacox, debra, merritt, michele. On an average, groundhogs eat onethird of their body weight every day, feeding on any plant matter that they come across. Apples, acorns, walnuts, and other proteinrich, high calorie foods are available. Groundhogs in captivity can live up to ten years, and once it is dependent on you it wont be able to survive if you get tired of it and put it back into the wild, so, you are taking on a real responsibility. The groundhog is a solitary animal who lives underground in. This includes scheduled events or programs such as daily animal mingles, private onsite programs, and zoo reaches. In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three being average.
These burrows provide homes for other animals like skunks, foxes, opossums and rabbits. How to get rid of groundhogs fast so they dont destroy. This has more to do with slowing down the body because of the lack of food available though than them not being able to stand the cooler temperatures. Groundhog groundhogs, animals, hibernation, and sometimes. In most areas of virginia, groundhogs hibernate from october to march or april, but in more temperate areas, they may come out of hibernation earlier. Hibernation is a method employed by a number of animals to limit energy requirements during the time of. Groundhogs marmota monax are medium sized rodents found all over north. One captive animal, however, managed to achieve a enormous 37. Groundhogs hibernate during winter, from november to march.
The groundhog, our underground architect wildlife rescue league. Only if you are absolutely willing to adopt a groundhog, have prior experience with many other animals, and have the proper infrastructure to house the animal, should you get it home. These critters live 34 years in the wild and have an average life expectancy of 68 years 14 year old groundhogs have been documented in captivity and rarely stray more than 150 feet from their burrow, making a resident groundhog a longterm tenant. Five things you didnt know about groundhogs tufts now.
Most groundhogs live in rocky and mountainous areas. Groundhogs are also called woodchucks, whistle pigs, and marmots. They can dig for a very long time to create a perfect. They live in burrows 25 feet underground, which can extend up to 30 feet horizontally. While punxsutawney phil emerges from his burrow every year before deciding whether or not he will continue to hibernate, has reported that groundhogs outside captivity will actually remain in hibernation if cold weather continues through march. Groundhogs hibernate longer in northern latitudes than southern latitudes. Groundhogs are excellent burrowers, using burrows for.
This is when the groundhog will see, or not see, its shadow. Ten interesting facts about groundhogs karens garden tips. I am joking when i tell her that i plan to hibernate with a good book by the woodstove. These facts about groundhogs will leave you amazed duration. The life span of a groundhog is about 10 yeas in captivity and 6 in the wild but wiarton willie in wiarton, ontario is said to be 22. This book can be used for holiday celebrations or as an addition to a storytime or unit on hibernation. Within this vast area, they prefer to live in between forests and open fields. Heres what groundhogs will do if winter goes long live. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading sleep tight, groundhog a book about animals that hibernate in winter. Anyway, what will groundhogs not kept in captivity for the sake of odd.
During this period, you need to provide them with a hibernating cage in a cool and quiet place. Because woodchucks hibernate, they are unlikely to cause any damage between early november and late february. Alfalfa, one of the staples of many groundhog diets, is at its peak in late summer, and provides a nutrient dense food source. Although they can hibernate for up to five months, some hibernate for only two to three months, depending on temperatures in the area. The groundhog marmota monax, also known as a woodchuck, is a rodent of the family. Studies have shown that groundhogs with access to alfalfa can grow to be a third as large as groundhogs without the leafy resource.
Groundhogs hibernate from october to march or april and often build a special burrow just for that purpose. In most areas, groundhogs hibernate from october to march or april, but in more temperate areas, they may hibernate as little as three months. Hibernation comes to an end as the first warm days of spring arrive. Despite that potential longevity, groundhogs do not make good pets.
Groundhogs hibernate in winter, during which time they do not stir from their burrows. The groundhog or woodchuck marmota monax is a husky, waddling rodent in the. Searching for his shadow has made this rodent famous. A woodchuck burrow will often have one main entrance and one emergency escape entrance or spyhole. In the early fall, groundhogs begin to ready themselves for hibernation by spending most of their time eating.
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