For other uses see groundhog (disambiguation) and woodchuck (disambiguation)

Groundhog/Woodchuck
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae Genus: Marmota Species: M. The conservation status of a Species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future Least Concern ( LC) is an IUCN category assigned to extant species or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must The Sciurids or Squirrels are a large family of Rodents. The word Sciuridae means "shade-tail" and refers to the bushy appendage possessed Marmots are members of the Genus Marmota, in the Rodent family Sciuridae (squirrels monax
Binomial name
Marmota monax (Linnaeus, 1758)

The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as the woodchuck or whistlepig, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for Year 1758 ( MDCCLVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must The Sciurids or Squirrels are a large family of Rodents. The word Sciuridae means "shade-tail" and refers to the bushy appendage possessed A squirrel is one of the many small or medium-sized Rodents in the family Sciuridae. Marmots are members of the Genus Marmota, in the Rodent family Sciuridae (squirrels Most marmots, such as yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the woodchuck is a lowland creature. The Yellow-bellied Marmot ( Marmota flaviventris) also known as the Rock Chuck, is a ground Squirrel in the Marmot genus The hoary marmot ( Marmota caligata) is a Species of Marmot that inhabits the mountains of northwest North America. It is widely distributed in North America and common in the northeastern and central United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the In the west it is found only in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, northern Idaho and Washington. Alaska ( Аляска Alyaska) is a state in the United States of America, in the northwest of the North American continent Alberta (ælˈbɝtə is one of Canada's prairie provinces. It became a province on September 1 1905 British Columbia (ˌbrɪtɨʃ kəˈlʌmbiə ( BC) ( (la Colombie-Britannique C The State of Idaho ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States of America. Washington ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

Anatomy and behavior

A nearly-motionless individual, alert to danger, will whistle when alarmed to warn other groundhogs

Groundhogs are able to climb trees, and can be seen resting in the branches

Groundhogs feed on a variety of plants such as grass, clover, and berries

Although usually shy, groundhogs may forage near human structures

The groundhog is the largest sciurid in its geographical range, typically measuring 40 to 65 cm (17 to 26 in) long (including a 15 cm tail) and weighing 2 to 4 kg (4. The Sciurids or Squirrels are a large family of Rodents. The word Sciuridae means "shade-tail" and refers to the bushy appendage possessed The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. 5 to 9 pounds). The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass In areas with fewer natural predators and large quantities of alfalfa, groundhogs can grow to 80 cm (32 in) and 14 kg (30 lb). Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa) is a flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae cultivated as an important forage crop Groundhogs are well adapted for digging, with short but powerful limbs and curved, thick claws. Unlike other sciurids, the groundhog's spine is curved, more like that of a mole, and the tail is comparably shorter as well – only about one-fourth of body length. Suited to their temperate habitat, groundhogs are covered with two coats of fur: a dense grey undercoat and a longer coat of banded guard hairs that gives the groundhog its distinctive "frosted" appearance. Guard hairs are the longest most coarse hairs in a Mammal 's coat forming the topcoat (or outer coat)

Groundhogs usually live from two to three years, but can live up to six years in the wild. In captivity, groundhogs can exceed this limit; by example, the 22-year-old Wiarton Willie may indicate the maximum lifespan. Wiarton Willie is a famous Canadian Groundhog who lives in the Community of Wiarton in Bruce County Ontario. Common predators for groundhogs include wolves, coyotes, bobcats, bears, large hawks, and owls. The grey wolf or gray wolf ( Canis lupus) also known as the timber wolf or simply wolf, is a Mammal of the order Carnivora The coyote (kaɪˈoʊti ˈkaɪoʊt ( Canis latrans) also known as the prairie wolf, is a Mammal of the order Carnivora The Bobcat ( Lynx rufus) is a North American Mammal of the cat family Felidae. The term hawk can be used in several ways In strict usage in Europe and Asia, to mean any of the Species in the Subfamily The Owls are an order of birds of prey. Most are Solitary, and nocturnal, with some exceptions (e Young groundhogs are often at risk for predation by snakes, which easily enter the burrow. A snake is an elongate Reptile of the suborder Serpentes Like all reptiles snakes are covered in scales.

Mostly herbivorous, groundhogs primarily eat wild grasses and other vegetation, and berries and agricultural crops when available. Herbivory is a form of Predation in which an Organism, known as a herbivore, consumes principally Autotrophs ref name=Campbell>Campbell ^[1] Groundhogs also eat grubs, grasshoppers, insects, snails and other small animals, but are not as omnivorous as many other sciurids. A larva ( Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of Animal with indirect development, undergoing Metamorphosis (for example Grasshoppers are Insects of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera. Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described The word snail is a Common name that can be used for almost all members of the Molluscan class Gastropoda which have coiled shells in the Omnivores (from Latin omne all everything vorare to devour are species that eat both Plants and Animals as their primary

Groundhogs are excellent burrowers, using burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating. For the ability of certain operating systems see Hibernate (OS feature Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression The average groundhog has been estimated to move approximately 1 m³ (35 cubic feet), or 320 kg (700 pounds), of dirt when digging a burrow. The cubic foot is an imperial and US customary (non- metric) unit of Volume, used in the United States Canada and the United Kingdom The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass Though groundhogs are the most solitary of the marmots, several individuals may occupy the same burrow. Groundhog burrows usually have two to five entrances, providing groundhogs their primary means of escape from predators. Burrows are particularly large, with up to 45 feet of tunnels buried up to 5 feet underground, and can pose a serious threat to agricultural and residential development by damaging farm machinery and even undermining building foundations. ^[2]

Groundhogs are one of the few species that enter into true hibernation, and often build a separate "winter burrow" for this purpose. For the ability of certain operating systems see Hibernate (OS feature Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression This burrow is usually in a wooded or brushy area and is dug below the frost line and remains at a stable temperature well above freezing during the winter months. The frost line —also known as frost depth or freezing depth —is most commonly the depth that the Groundwater in Soil is expected In most areas, groundhogs hibernate from October to March or April, but in more temperate areas, they may hibernate as little as 3 months. ^[3] To survive the winter, they are at their maximum weight shortly before entering hibernation. They emerge from hibernation with some remaining body fat to live on until the warmer spring weather produces abundant plant materials for food.

Despite their heavy-bodied appearance, groundhogs are accomplished swimmers and climbers, and climb trees to escape predators or survey their surroundings. ^[4] They prefer to retreat to their burrows when threatened; if the burrow is invaded, the groundhog tenaciously defends itself with its two large incisors and front claws. Incisors (from Latin incidere, "to cut" are the first kind of Tooth in Heterodont Mammals They are located in the Premaxilla Groundhogs are generally agonistic and territorial among their own species, and may skirmish to establish dominance. ^[1]

Outside their burrow, individuals are alert when not actively feeding. It is common to see one or more nearly-motionless individuals standing erect on their hind feet watching for danger. When alarmed, they use a high-pitched whistle to warn the rest of the colony. ^[5]

Usually groundhogs breed in their second year, but a small proportion may breed in their first. Reproduction is the Biological process by which new individual Organisms are produced The breeding season extends from early March to mid- or late April, after hibernation. The breeding season is the most suitable season usually with favorable conditions and abundant food and water for breeding among some wild animals and birds (wildlife A mated pair remains in the same den throughout the 28-32 day gestation period. The gestation period in a Viviparous Animal is the length of its Gestation. As birth of the young approaches in April or May, the male leaves the den. One litter is produced annually, usually containing 2-6 blind, hairless and helpless young. Young groundhogs are weaned and ready to seek their own dens at five to six weeks of age. DEN may refer to The country The IATA code for Denver International Airport (also the former IATA code of Stapleton International Airport

The groundhog prefers open country and the edges of woodland, and it is rarely far from a burrow entrance. Since the clearing of forests provided it with much more suitable habitat, the groundhog population is probably higher now than it was before the arrival of European settlers in North America. A forest is an area with a high density of Trees There are many definitions of a forest based on various criteria A habitat (which is Latin for "it inhabits" is an Ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular Species. Groundhogs are often hunted for sport, which tends to control their numbers. However, their ability to reproduce quickly has tended to mitigate the depopulating effects of sport hunting. ^[2] As a consequence, the groundhog is a familiar animal to many people in the United States and Canada.

Groundhogs raised in captivity can be socialized relatively easily; however, their aggressive nature can pose problems. 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. The Staten Island Zoo is a small urban Zoo in northern Staten Island in New York City in the United States. [Their] natural impulse is to kill ’em all and let God sort ’em out. You have to work to produce the sweet and cuddly. "^[6]

Popular culture

Groundhogs are often seen by the side of the road

A groundhog feeding

In the United States and Canada, the yearly Groundhog Day celebration has given the groundhog some added recognition and popularity, as has the movie of the same name. Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in United States and Canada on February 2. Groundhog Day is a 1993 Comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.

In Disney's fictional universe, The Junior Woodchucks are the Boy Scouts of America-like child organization. In Disney 's fictional universe The Junior Woodchucks are the Boy Scouts of America -like youth organization to which Donald Duck 's nephews Huey Dewey The Boy Scouts of America ( BSA) is the largest youth organization in the United States with over five million

The etymology of the name woodchuck is unrelated to wood or chucking. Wood is hard fibrous lignified structural tissue produced as secondary Xylem in the stems of Woody plants notably trees but also shrubs It stems from an Algonquian name for the animal (possibly Narragansett), wuchak. The Narragansett tribe are a Native American Tribe who controlled the area surrounding Narragansett Bay in present-day Rhode Island, and also The apparent relationship between the two words has led to the common tongue twister: "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? — A woodchuck would chuck as much wood as he could if a woodchuck could chuck wood". A tongue-twister is a phrase that is designed to be difficult to articulate properly Other response lines can be used, including:

1. "As much wood as a woodchuck would if a woodchuck could chuck wood. "^[7]
2. "A woodchuck would chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood. "^[8]
3. "A woodchuck would chuck all the wood, if a woodchuck only could. "^[9]

In the play and film, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," the alma mater of Mr. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Biggley is "Grand Old Ivy," whose mascot is the Groundhog. Biggley and Finch sing the college fight song, "Grand Old Ivy," which states the Groundhogs' main rival are the Chipmunks.

In advertisements for instant scratch-off tickets from the state lottery of Pennsylvania, an animatronic groundhog named Gus is featured, the self-proclaimed "second most-famous groundhog" in the state. The Pennsylvania Lottery is the state Lottery of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern ^[10]

In Berkeley Breathed's popular comic strip Bloom County, there is a character named Portnoy who eventually is reavealed to be a groundhog, complete with scientific name Marmota Monax. Guy Berkeley "Berke" Breathed (born June 21, 1957) is an American Cartoonist, children's book Author / Illustrator, Bloom County was an American Comic strip by Berkeley Breathed which ran from December 8, 1980 until August 6, 1989 This leads to a brief rejection from his friend Hodge-Podge the rabbit, saying "I don't work with pigs. "

During the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, a groundhog disrupted the practice session of Ralf Schumacher. The 2007 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 10 June, 2007, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal Canada Ralf Schumacher (born June 30, 1975 in Hürth-Hermülheim near Cologne is a German racing driver and the younger brother of seven-time On race day itself, Anthony Davidson had been running in third until he struck a groundhog, initially thought to be a beaver, which forced him to pit and repair the damage to his front wing. Anthony Denis Davidson (born 18 April, 1979 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England) is a British Formula One In the weeks leading up the Grand Prix, city officials trapped as many groundhogs as they could around the race course and transported the animals to nearby Ile Ste-Helene. ^[11]

Notes

References

External links

• Hinterland Who's Who ("Canadian Wildlife Service: Mammals: Woodchuck")
• Missouri Conservation Commission ("Woodchuck")