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. monax
Binomial name
Marmota monax (Linnaeus, 1758)

The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as the woodchuck, land beaver, bunnydog, or whistlepig, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Most marmots, such as yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the woodchuck is a lowland creature. It is widely distributed in North America and common in the northeastern and central United States. In the west it is found only in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, and northern Washington. Image File history File linksMetadata Closeup_groundhog. ... 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. ... Image File history File links Status_iucn2. ... 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. ... Scientific classification redirects here. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria For the folk-rock band see The Mammals. ... Suborders Sciuromorpha Castorimorpha Myomorpha Anomaluromorpha Hystricomorpha Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing. ... Genera Many: see text. ... Species see text Marmots are members of the genus Marmota, in the rodent family Sciuridae (squirrels). ... Latin name redirects here. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Year 1758 (MDCCLVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Suborders Sciuromorpha Castorimorpha Myomorpha Anomaluromorpha Hystricomorpha Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing. ... Genera Many: see text. ... This article is about the animal. ... Species See text. ... Binomial name (Audubon and Bachman, 1841) The Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris), also known as the Rock Chuck, is a ground squirrel in the marmot genus. ... Binomial name Marmota caligata (Eschscholtz, 1829) The Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata) is found in the mountains of northwest North America. ... North American redirects here. ... For other uses, see Alaska (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Alberta (disambiguation). ... Motto: Splendor sine occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 36 Senate seats 6 Confederation July 20, 1871 (6th province) Area  Ranked 5th Total 944... For the capital city of the United States, see Washington, D.C.. For other uses, see Washington (disambiguation). ...

Anatomy and behavior

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 (4.5 to 9 pounds). In areas with fewer natural predators and large quantities of alfalfa, groundhogs can grow to 80 cm (32 in) and 14 kg (30 lb). 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. 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. Groundhogs usually live from two to three years, but can live up to six years in the wild, and up to ten in captivity^{[citation needed]}. Common predators for groundhogs include wolves, coyotes, bobcats, bears, large hawks, and owls. Young groundhogs are often at risk for predation by snakes, which easily enter the burrow. Genera Many: see text. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Kg redirects here. ... Look up pound in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For the Our Gang (Little Rascals) character, see Carl Switzer. ... Guard hairs are the longest, thickest hairs in a mammals coat, forming the topcoat (or outer coat). ... Wolf Wolf Man Mount Wolf Wolf Prizes Wolf Spider Wolf 424 Wolf 359 Wolf Point Wolf-herring Frank Wolf Friedrich Wolf Friedrich August Wolf Hugo Wolf Johannes Wolf Julius Wolf Max Franz Joseph Cornelius Wolf Maximilian Wolf Rudolf Wolf Thomas Wolf As Name Wolf Breidenbach Wolf Hirshorn Other The call... For other uses, see Coyote (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bobcat (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bear (disambiguation). ... Genera Accipiter Micronisus Melierax Urotriorchis Erythrotriorchis The term hawk refers to birds of prey in any of three senses: Strictly, to mean any of the species in the bird sub-family Accipitrinae in the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis, and Megatriorchis. ... For other uses, see Owl (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Snake (disambiguation). ...

Mostly herbivorous, groundhogs primarily eat wild grasses and other vegetation, and berries and agricultural crops when available.^[1] Groundhogs also eat grubs, grasshoppers, insects, snails and other small animals, but are not as omnivorous as many other sciurids. A deer and two fawns feeding on some foliage Herbivory is a form of predation in which an organism known as an herbivore, consumes principally autotrophs[1] such as plants, algae and photosynthesizing bacteria. ... A larval insect A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ... For other uses, see Grasshopper (disambiguation). ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... For other uses, see Snail (disambiguation). ... Pigs are omnivores. ...

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

Groundhogs are excellent burrowers, using burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating. 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. 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] Image File history File links Groundhog-Standing2. ... Image File history File links Groundhog-Standing2. ... This article refers to the process of hibernation in biology. ... The cubic foot (symbols ft³, cu. ... Look up pound in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Groundhogs are one of the few species that enter into true hibernation, and often build a separate "winter burrow" for this purpose. 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. 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. This article refers to the process of hibernation in biology. ... The frost line is the level down to which the soil will normally freeze each winter in a given area. ...

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

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. Groundhogs are generally agonistic and territorial among their own species, and may skirmish to establish dominance.^[1] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 664 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (684 × 618 pixel, file size: 78 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A groundhog sitting on a branch after climbing up a tree in Virgnina, USA. I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 664 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (684 × 618 pixel, file size: 78 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A groundhog sitting on a branch after climbing up a tree in Virgnina, USA. I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public... Incisors (from Latin incidere, to cut) are the first kind of tooth in heterodont mammals. ...

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]

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

Usually groundhogs breed in their second year, but a small proportion may breed in their first. The breeding season extends from early March to mid- or late April, after hibernation. A mated pair remains in the same den throughout the 28-32 day gestation period. 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. Image File history File linksMetadata Babygroundhog. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Babygroundhog. ... Biological reproduction is the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced. ... Reproduction is the creation of one thing as a copy of, product of, or replacement for a similar thing, e. ... The Gestation period in a viviparous animal refers to the length of its pregnancy. ... Look up den in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Although usually shy, groundhogs may forage near human structures.

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. 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. This article is about a community of trees. ... Habitat (which is Latin for it inhabits) is the place where a particular species live and grow. ...

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. [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] The Staten Island Zoo is a small urban zoo in northern Staten Island in New York City in the United States. ...

Popular culture

Groundhogs are often seen by the side of the road.

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. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (790x628, 349 KB) A photo I took of one of the groundhogs in my backyard. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (790x628, 349 KB) A photo I took of one of the groundhogs in my backyard. ... For the movie of the same name, see Groundhog Day (film) Groundhog Day or Groundhogs Day is a traditional holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2. ... Synopsis Groundhog Day is a 1993 comedy film starring Bill Murray as Phil Conners, an egocentric Pittsburgh weatherman who dreads his annual assignment covering Groundhog Day from its birthplace in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. ...

In Disney's fictional universe, The Junior Woodchucks are the Boy Scouts of America-like child organization. Disney redirects here. ... In Disneys fictional Scrooge McDuck universe, The Junior Woodchucks are the Boy Scout-like youth organization to which Donald Ducks nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, belong. ... For the Boy Scouting program within the BSA, see Boy Scouting (Boy Scouts of America). ...

The etymology of the name woodchuck is unrelated to wood. It stems from an Algonquian name for the animal (possibly Narragansett), wuchak. 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". Other response lines can be used, including: For other uses, see Wood (disambiguation). ... The Algonquian languages are a subfamily of Native American languages that includes most of the languages in the Algic language family (others are Wiyot and Yurok of northwestern California). ... Tribal flag The Narragansett tribe, or more accurately Nahahiganseck Sovereign Nation, are a Native American tribe who controlled the area surrounding Narragansett Bay in present-day Rhode Island, and also portions of Connecticut, and eastern Massachusetts. ... A tongue-twister is a phrase in any language that is designed to be difficult to articulate properly. ...

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. 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. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a 1961 musical, initially running for 1,417 performances. ...

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.^[10] The Pennsylvania Lottery is the state lottery of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

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. This leads to a brief rejection from his friend Hodge-Podge the rabbit, saying "I don't work with pigs." Guy Berkeley Berke Breathed (born June 21, 1957) is an American cartoonist, childrens book author/illustrator, director, and screenwriter, best known for Bloom County, a 1980s cartoon-comic strip which dealt with socio-political issues as seen through the eyes of highly exaggerated characters (e. ... Bloom County was a popular American comic strip by Berke Breathed which ran from December 8, 1980 until August 6, 1989. ...

During the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, a groundhog disrupted the practice session of Ralf Schumacher. 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. 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] The 2007 Canadian Grand Prix was the sixth race of the 2007 Formula One season. ... Ralf Schumacher (born June 30, 1975 in Hürth-Hermülheim near Cologne[1]) is a German Formula One racing driver. ... Anthony Davidson demonstrating a Formula Two Brabham-Honda BT18 at the 2005 Goodwood Festival of Speed. ...

Notes

The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ...

References

• Rodent Specialist Group (1996). Marmota monax. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Marmota monax

Video

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