Hobbies And Interests
Physical Characteristics
Groundhogs have long, rough yellow-brown fur. Their fur has a slightly frosted appearance because of whitish areas present on the sides of the face, the nose, chin and lips. Their feet and flattened tails range from dark brown to black in color and the tails themselves range from 4 to 7 inches long. Adult groundhogs grow to be 22 to 27 inches in length and can weigh up to 10 lbs.
Range and Habitat
Groundhogs live in North America; all along Canada and in the U.S., from the Northeast to the Midwest. Groundhogs prefer to live in open fields and meadows and along the edges of woodlands and forests near roads and streams. They are burrowing creatures and construct their burrows underneath stumps, rocks, building foundations or other outdoor structures. Groundhogs use their burrows to sleep, to escape from predators and bad weather, to raise young and to hibernate during winter.
Diet
Groundhogs are herbivorous for the most part, primarily eating wild grasses and other vegetation, including wild berries and even agricultural crops if available. Groundhogs also eat a large variety of bugs and vermin, like grasshoppers, grubs, snails and other insects; however, groundhogs are not as omnivorous as other rodents. Like squirrels, groundhogs have been observed sitting up eating certain kinds of nuts, but unlike squirrels, groundhogs don't bury them for later use.
Behavior
Groundhogs will typically hibernate from October to March or even April. In areas with more temperate climates, groundhogs may only hibernate for three months. They spend much of their time eating and preparing for hibernation, achieving their maximum weight right before hibernating. Groundhogs are adept swimmers and great climbers when the need arises to escape from predators. In the wild, as well as in captivity, groundhogs tend to be territorial and aggressive, often fighting among themselves to establish dominance.
Breeding and Gestation
Groundhogs most often breed in their second year, but are sexually mature in their first. Groundhog mating season spans early March to mid or late April, right after hibernation. A mated pair will remain in the same den together during the 31- to 32-day gestation period. As birth of the young groundhogs nears in April or May, the male will depart from the den. Groundhogs usually produce one litter annually, generally containing two to six hairless, blind and helpless young. Young groundhogs become ready to seek their own dens at 5 to 6 weeks of age.