Marmota monax
Copyright, R. W. Van Devender
Marmota monax
Copyright, R. W. Van Devender
Woodchucks, also called
groundhogs, are large rodents.
They are brown with bushy tails, small ears, and short
legs. Woodchucks can grow up to
32 inches long, and weigh up to 14 pounds. A Woodchuck's feet are
usually darker brown or black. These animals are known
to live in fields,
woods, lawns, and gardens. Woodchucks are active
during the day, especially in early morning and late
afternoon. Copyright, Canal
Photos
Woodchucks dig large burrows which can be up to five feet deep and 30 feet long. A burrow usually has a nest chamber lined with grasses, a main entrance, and several escape openings. The main entrance can be a foot wide. Woodchucks also have a special chamber in their burrows for pooping. They are very clean animals.
Woodchucks usually live on their own, except during mating season. At this time, a male woodchuck will go visit a female's burrow. After mating, he will leave.
Female Woodchucks have one
litter
each year, with four or five young. They are usually born in April or
May. 
Woodchucks eat mostly
plants, including: grasses, clovers, plantain, Sassafras,
Smooth Sumac, Flowering Dogwood, Black Cherry, and
honeysuckle. Occasionally, they will eat snails, insects,
baby birds, or eggs. In the Fall, Woodchucks
eat a lot so they can put on extra fat for the Winter.
Woodchucks hibernate
in their nest chamber. During the cold months, Woodchucks
are able to slow down their breathing to one breath per
minute and their heartbeat to four beats per minute. They
also lower their body temperature. Copyright, Ernie
Seckinger Ministere de Losirs,
Chasse, et Peche, Jardin Botanique de Montreal Because of their large
size, Woodchucks do not have very many predators.
Most often, they are taken when they are young. Foxes,
hawks, raccoons, and dogs are the Woodchuck's main
predators. Many are also killed by cars. When a Woodchuck is
alarmed, it will give a sharp whistle before running to its
burrow. Woodchucks are also good swimmers and climbers. They
will sometimes climb trees to escape predators. The main entrance of a
Woodchuck burrow usually has a mound of dirt beside it. Old
Woodchuck burrows are used by many animals as
shelter,
including: Red Fox, Virginia Opossum, Raccoon, Eastern
Cottontail, Striped Skunk, and snakes. Woodchucks usually end
their hibernation in early Spring. Woodchucks live for about
six years.
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Relationships in Nature:
Human
Relationship to Humans:
For the most part, Woodchucks are very helpful to people. Their digging heps turn over the soil and mixes nutrients. Their pooping underground adds fertilizer to the soil. Some people consider them a pest, because they will sometimes raid gardens for vegetables, and because horses have been known to break their legs when they step in Woodchuck holes.
This animal has actually been helped by the development of land by people. The types of environments people create, such as lawns, gardens, and parks are good habitat for Woodchucks. The only drawback for them is cars. Many Woodchucks are killed trying to cross busy roads.
Some people hunt Woodchucks for food and fur.