Groundhog

The groundhog, scientifically known as Marmota monax, is a large rodent in the family Sciuridae. Also called the woodchuck or whistle-pig, it is native to eastern and central North America and is the most familiar marmot in that region.

Groundhogs have a compact body, short legs, and a short tail. Adults typically weigh between 2 and 6 kilograms and measure about 40 to 65 centimeters in length, including the tail. They possess strong incisor teeth and powerful claws suited for digging, which they use to create extensive burrow systems.

Groundhogs are diurnal and largely solitary, though they may share a territory with others. They dig burrows with multiple entrances, nesting chambers, and rooms for storing food. These burrows protect them from predators and provide shelter during cold weather. They emerge and forage mainly in spring and summer.

Their diet is herbivorous, comprising grasses, clover, alfalfa, berries, and various crops. They are opportunistic feeders and may eat insects on occasion. Foraging typically occurs in the morning and late afternoon, with winter spent in hibernation in deeper parts of their burrows.

Breeding occurs in early spring. Females give birth after a gestation of about 30 days, usually to four to six young. The pups are born blind and hairless, are weaned after six to eight weeks, and remain with the mother for part of the season.

Groundhogs hibernate through winter, slowing metabolism and reducing heart rate to conserve energy. They can lose a substantial portion of body weight during hibernation. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and faces limited broad-scale threats, though local habitat loss can impact populations.

In popular culture, Groundhog Day on February 2 in the United States and Canada attributes weather forecasting to a groundhog’s shadow. The tradition is cultural rather than scientific.