Facts about Groundhog

Humans can eat groundhog, but it is recommended that the scent glands be removed before cooking.

Despite their heavy-bodied appearance, groundhogs are accomplished swimmers and climbers, and climb trees to escape predators or survey their surroundings (Chapman and Feldhamer 1982).

The groundhog belongs to the group of rodents known as marmots.

Mostly herbivorous, groundhogs primarily eat wild grasses and other vegetation, and berries and agricultural crops when available (Whitaker and Hamilton 1998).

The marmots, and thus the groundhog, are part of the ground squirrels, and are generally large ground squirrels.

Like other sciurids, groundhogs have exceptionally dense cerebral bones, allowing them to survive direct blows to the head that would cripple other mammals of the same body mass.

Among individuals of their own species, groundhogs are generally territorial and agonistic (aggressive or defensive social interaction between individuals usually of the same species), and may skirmish to establish dominance (Whittaker and Hamilton 1998).

Usually groundhogs breed in their second year, but a small proportion may breed in their first.

In areas with fewer natural predators and large quantities of alfalfa, groundhogs can grow to 80 centimeters (32 inches) and 14 kilograms (30 pounds).

Young groundhogs are often at risk for predation by snakes, which easily enter the burrow.

Doug Schwartz, a zookeeper and groundhog trainer at the Staten Island Zoo, has been quoted as saying "They’re known for their aggression, so you’re starting from a hard place.

Groundhogs are well adapted for digging, with short but powerful limbs and curved, thick claws.

Common predators for groundhogs include wolves, coyotes, bobcats, bears, large hawks, and owls.

Groundhogs are one of the few species that enter into true hibernation, and often build a separate "winter burrow" for this purpose.

Groundhogs are excellent burrowers, using burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating.

Young groundhogs are weaned and ready to seek their own dens at five to six weeks of age.

The groundhog also has a unique cultural role in North America, celebrated on February 2 for its spring prophecy.

Groundhogs are often hunted for sport, which tends to control their numbers.

Most marmots, such as yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the groundhog or woodchuck is a lowland creature.

Groundhog burrows usually have two to five entrances, providing groundhogs their primary means of escape from predators.

Groundhogs raised in captivity can be socialized relatively easily; however, their aggressive nature can pose problems.

Groundhogs also eat grubs, grasshoppers, insects, snails, and other small animals, as well as bird's eggs, but are not as omnivorous as many other sciurids.

The groundhog prefers open country and the edges of woodland, and it is rarely far from a burrow entrance.

The marmots, and thus the groundhog, are part of the ground squirrels, and are generally large ground squirrels.