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Last Updated: Mar 27th, 2009 - 06:17:39
Groundhog Day
What is a Groundhog?
By Cynthia Kirkeby
Jan 21, 2008, 08:58 PST
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Take a look at what a real groundhog looks like and learn a little about this animals known for their weather forecasting expertise.
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| Charles H. Warren |
Scientific Name: Marmota monax
CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Rodentia
FAMILY: Sciuridae
Statistics
WEIGHT: 4.25-14 lb
TAIL: 4-10 in
LENGTH: 15.5-32 in
Groundhogs also known as Woodchucks and Marmota monax
According to the Entomly Department of Purdue University, "The woodchuck (Marmota monax), a member of the
squirrel family, is common throughout Indiana. It can be
found in open pastures, woodlots, cultivated and fallow
fields, and along railroad embankments, ditch banks,
roadsides, fence rows, and levees. In cropping areas,
woodchucks consume soybeans, corn and alfalfa. The
extensive burrowing activities of woodchucks in fields
can interfere with farm operations, cause damage to
equipment, injury to livestock, and create significant
erosion problems in levees, pond dams and railroad
embankments. Around private homes, one or two woodchucks
are capable of ruining a small garden almost
overnight.
The woodchuck is a vegetarian. Various grasses,
clover, alfalfa, plantain, and other types of tender green
succulents make up its diet. In crop areas, it is especially
fond of the soybean plant, but it will also feed on young
corn plants and even ears in the milk stage. An adult
woodchuck consumes between 1 and 1-1/2 pounds of
vegetation daily.
Woodchucks enter hibernation beginning mid-October
and emerge during February. They mate shortly after
emergence, with a single litter of four to six young born a
month later (March-April). The young leave the nest in
early July to establish their own burrows and territories.
Woodchucks live an average of 4-6 years."
Source: Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, David C. Petritz, Director
© Copyright 2008 by Classbrain.com
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