How to Make a Habitat for Groundhogs

Choose a suitable location, considering the groundhog's preference for grasslands bordering woodlands. These animals typically require about one to two acres of land, with adjacent tracts within 1/4 mile to 1 mile for young adults to inhabit when they are old enough to venture out on their own.

Select a site with well-drained soil to facilitate burrowing. Groundhogs have strong legs and long, curved claws for digging dens up to 16 feet deep and 50 feet long, often within gently sloping hills. They make at least two holes, up to 1 foot wide, as entrances and exits.

Disperse rocks and logs every few hundred yards throughout the area for groundhogs to use as sunning spots. These animals are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, often taking a siesta midday, but staying close to a burrow hole to escape from potential danger if needed. Groundhogs are sometimes called "whistle-pigs" for the alarm call they make to alert others.

Ensure a steady supply of leafy, green plants, which are groundhogs' favorite food. Mainly herbivores, they forage on grasses, alfalfa, clover, ferns, chickweed, dandelion, plantain and other weeds. In the spring, before these plants are plentiful, groundhogs also eat buds, twigs and leaves from shrubs.

Provide access to trees for alternative food and shelter. Groundhogs can climb like their porcupine cousins and use trees 15 feet tall or higher to escape predators or to dine on hackberry and red mulberry fruit and leaves. Groundhogs also feed on bark, especially when they emerge from hibernation and green plants may be scarce. Contrary to the tongue-twister, woodchucks (groundhogs) do not "chuck wood" like the closely related beavers, although some will chew it to wear down their continually growing teeth. Groundhogs often burrow under wooded areas for the winter chambers where they hibernate below the frost line, sometimes among tree roots, from October to February or March. They also use fallen leaves, along with dried grass, as nesting materials.

Offer a source of fresh drinking water. Another nickname for groundhog is "land-beaver," because they prefer dry land to their water-dwelling relatives. However, they are good swimmers and will traverse ponds and streams.