var siteUrl = window.location.hostname; Groundhogs construct burrows and eat a broad range of vegetation. 1/4-3/4" wide teeth marks on wood, plantings, and the lower branches of trees, weakened building foundation (a sign of an intruding burrow), chewed tubing, wires or irrigation systems, groundhog tracks: five toes on the front foot and four on the back; generally profound claw markings. Besides, many a farmer has complained that his bull or horse fractured a leg because they stepped into a groundhog burrow. Many people will use these things to trap them. Groundhog Diet Groundhogs eat approximately 1/3 of their weight in vegetation each day. $(that.id).find('.panel-wrap').animate({'left':0}, that.animationSpeed, function() { Birds A groundhog's heart rate slows from between 80 and 100 beats per minute to around four or five beats per minute. var maskWidth = this.visibleItems() * this.itemWidth(); Armadillos }; They're loners. var slideWidth = $(this.id).find('.panel').outerWidth(true); Rather than drink water, they feed on leafy plant matter for getting water! During this time, groundhogs survive on the fat reserves that they accumulate from their hefty summer and fall diets. function setTabHeight() { Vegetation like carrots, celery, corn, peas, and beans 4. Like squirrels, they enjoy eating nuts, but they do not bury them like squirrels do. this.id = id; What Do Groundhogs Eat? Like other squirrels, groundhogs have long tails that grow around 7 to 9.75 in (18 to 25 cm) long. }; Fruits like berries, cherries and apples 5. }); setTabHeight(); Presumably the nightshade family is as toxic to groundhogs as to humans, and they know it. window.location.href = url; Hibernation: Groundhogs are true hibernators, entering a deep sleep in October and emerging in early spring. They eat grasses, other green plants, some fruits, and the bark and buds of trees. switch(e.which) { } Dogs In the summer and fall groundhogs increase their consumption to accumulate fat reserves, which they use to survive through their winter hibernation period. yOffset: 0, While this date is approximately the midpoint between winter and spring, it is also the time when groundhogs start arising e from hibernation in some regions. if (xMove > 0) { $(that.id).find('.ctrl.right').trigger('click'); } else { $(that.id).find('.ctrl.left').trigger('click'); } }); Voles During this time, about 150 days without eating, a woodchuck will lose no more than a fourth of its body weight, according to NWF. Most activity occurs during the early morning and early evening hours, at which groundhogs emerge from their burrows to gather food. $(window).on('resize', function() { that.setMaskWidth(); }); They weigh around 13 lbs. The smell is what keeps it off the list of groundhogs' favorite foods, although they do occasionally eat them. $(this.id)[0].addEventListener('touchstart', function(e) { Habitat: Groundhogs are most commonly found along forest edges, meadows, open fields, roads and streams. They sometimes also live in dense forests. While they’re mostly herbivores, they can eat grubs, snails, insects, and grasshoppers too. Damage Caused by a Groundhog’s Diet. if (jQuery(this).value != '') { Yarrow is a tough enough plant to naturalize in some areas. In the summer, groundhogs forage at dusk and dawn for hackberry, mulberry, and maple leaves. setTimeout(function () { They are vegetarians and are partial to leaves, flowers and grasses. $(that.id).find('.panel').slice(-1 * visible).remove(); var target = $(that.id).find('.panel-wrap'); } $(that.id).find('.panel:first-child').attr('aria-hidden', false); Threats: Groundhogs are preyed upon by several animals, such as wolves, coyotes, dogs, foxes, bobcats, lynxes and black bears. Activity: Groundhogs are diurnal (active during the day) from spring to fall. "use strict"; return visible; Reproduction: Mating season begins in early spring, once groundhogs emerge from hibernation. Raccoons mediaType = jQuery(this).children().attr('mediatype'); }, 1000); The young stay with the mother for two to three months. Close BrandSlider.prototype.containerWidth = function() { Mice They dig their burrows close to farms, gardens and orchards, so as to make sure that the food is available in plenty at any give… Food for Groundhogs Groundhog will eat wild grasses, berries and agricultural crops. Groundhogs can devastate a garden very quickly. They don't wake up to eat; instead, their bodies, which have reduced nutrition needs while hibernating, feed on the fat layer the groundhogs built up in the summer and fall. var sliderArray = []; var BrandSlider = function(id) { Deer Groundhogs eat mostly during the early morning and afternoon, so try to see when your garden is receiving the most damage. } $(that.id).find('.panel-wrap').animate({'left':-1 * (count * that.itemWidth())}, that.animationSpeed, function() { }); jQuery(document).ready(function () { Groundhogs weigh between 4-14 pounds,and are stocky, giving the appearance of crouching close to the ground as it moves around. Burrowing: With their long, sharp claws, groundhogs dig complex multi-chamber burrows that they use for hoarding food, nesting and hibernating. Groundhogs, aka woodchucks, can be found in central and eastern US, and are known to burrow in yards and eat through gardens. } An adult consumes between 1-1/2 lbs. zoomHeight: 327, }); title: false sliderList.each(function(index) { $(that.id).find('.panel').slice(0,count).remove(); The soil is greatly benefited by aeration and mixing But, alas, as with most animals and humans there does lie conflict of our lifestyles. Groundhogs make their homes anywhere they can get food, shelter, and space to dig. if (!target.is(':animated')) { that.prevSlide(); } It curls into what appears to be a lifeless ball. We usually eat a bit more in the fall since during the winter we will hibernate underground- that means we go into a deep sleep. xOffset: 0, Ken Armitage, marmot researcher, states that the social biology of the groundhog is poorly studied. Soiled Kitty Litter. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. $(this.id).find('.ctrl.left').on('click', function() { return $(this.id).innerWidth(); They feed heavily in summer and early fall, accumulating huge fat reserves for their winter hibernation. This is possible due to all the energy saved by the lower metabolism. You can safely grow potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Kingdom: | Animalia Diet: Groundhogs are vegetarian. The… [Related Article: What Eats Groundhogs] Where Do Groundhogs … } var tabHeight = jQuery('.tab-container').height(); $(window).load(function() { $(window).trigger('resize'); }); According to NWF, mating does not take place at this time. Groundhogs eat approximately 1/3 of their weight in vegetation each day. // ]]>, // 0) { The holiday stems from a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition. They will also eat snails, grasshoppers, and grubs, but live food is a small percentage of their diet. Gophers $(that.id).find('.panel').attr('aria-hidden', true); BrandSlider.prototype.navWidth = function() { Pink, red, white, and yellow are the most common flower colors. var activeTab = jQuery('#collateral-tabs-cms dt.active').next('.tab-container').outerHeight(); They also enjoy eating clover, alfalfa, dandelion, and coltsfoot. }; Are You a Professional or Commercial User? this.count = $(this.id).find('.panel').length; Because of their burrowing habit they provide shelter for more many other animals including skunks, and foxes. Melanistic and albino individuals sometimes occur in some populations. Groundhogs var id = $('#' + $(this).attr('id')); The time spent observing groundhogs by field biologists represents only a small fraction of time devoted to the field research. It can stretch anywhere from eight to 66 feet long. BrandSlider.prototype.visibleItems = function() { $(that.id).find('.panel[aria-hidden="false"] a')[0].click(); This is similar to a 150-pound man scarfing down a 15-pound steak. jQuery('#main-image').jqzoom(options); That’s right. Geography: Groundhogs are found from the eastern and central United States northward across Canada and into Alaska. (function($) { var sites = [ In your garden, they eat freshly planted annuals and returning perennials, hostas, and just about every leafy herb and vegetable in the veggie patch. jQuery('#main-image').click(function () { They especially like certain garden crops like carrots, beans and peas. $(this.id).find('.panel').css({'width':this.itemWidth()}); var target = $(that.id).find('.panel-wrap'); jQuery(window).resize(function() { [CDATA[ So, what do groundhogs eat and drink? this.nextSlide = function() { url = jQuery(this).children().attr("data-image-quick"); zoomType: 'reverse',//Values: standard, reverse Phylum: | Chordata Beavers Food They Won’t Eat. According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), a groundhog may pack in more than a pound of vegetation at one sitting during the warm season. jQuery(document).ready(function() { Foxes Sometimes we even dig another burrow for our hibernation. If you don’t have vegetables around, groundhogs will settle for twigs, bark, bugs, and blossoms. var target = $(that.id).find('.panel-wrap'); jQuery('.top-category-products,.tab-1 .sub-content .jcarousel-container-horizontal').addClass('no-margin no-padding').css('width','auto'); $(that.id).find('.panel').slice(-1 * visible).clone().prependTo(target); Lifespan: In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three being average. Squirrels if (mediaType == "image") { Mothers give birth to 2-4 kits, and these baby woodchucks remain with the mother for 2 months before becoming independent. The marmots are general herbivores, and eat a wide variety of common vegetation. Class: | Mammalia Rodents also avoid Mediterranean herbs in the mint family such as rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, basil and lemon balm. // ]]>. Opossums $(this.id).find('.ctrl.right').on('click', function() { By using this site you agree to these cookies being set. Its body temperature can drop from about 99 degrees Fahrenheit to as low as 37 F, according to NWF. Less Attractive to Groundhogs By Linda S. Wiles Penn State Cooperative Extension Based on information from the Internet Center for Wildlife Management and Local Observations. Groundhogs are omnivorous and eat just the fruit and green parts of plants. BrandSlider.prototype.itemWidth = function() { Groundhogs, or woodchucks, are large rodents known for their burrowing habits and destructive behavior. of vegetation a day. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has fragrant, feathery foliage. Punxsutawney Phil’s seasonal predictions are not always accurate. Mosquitoes Groundhog burrowing can pose a serious threat to agricultural and residential developments, which is why it's important to identify groundhog damage early. // ]]>, This site uses cookies to improve your user experience. this.prevSlide = function() { Groundhogs are not loved by farmers, since they are known to destroy crops. Although they are considered herbivores, they sometimes eat insects (less than 1% of the time). Genus: | Marmota this.animationSpeed = 300; Greens like lettuce, alfalfa, clovers, dandelions, daisies, red mulberry and hackberry leaves 2. Its heart rate slows from about 80 beats per minute to 5 and its breathing slows from around 16 breaths per minute to as few as 2. Groundhog Day first appeared in the local Punxsutawney newspaper in 1886, according to The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club website. $(this.id).find('.slider-mask').css({'width':maskWidth + 'px'}); They are strict herbivores and eat a variety of vegetables including soybeans, beans, peas, carrot tops, alfalfa and grasses. }; Most of the time groundhogs dig their burrows in areas with nearby cover such as fencerows, hedgerows, beside structures, home foundations or trees. var target = $(that.id).find('.panel-wrap'); }); and leave behind tooth marks. Groundhogs are among the few species of true hibernators. }, { capture:true, passive: true}); case 37: that.prevSlide(); break; © 2020 Woodstream Corporation. Snakes }; }); Groundhog burrows are known to have been responsible for uncovering a historic village in central Ohio - now a famous archeological site. if (!target.is(':animated')) { that.nextSlide(); } Cats jQuery('.widget-title,.tab-1 .sub-content .jcarousel-prev-disabled,.tab-1 .sub-content .jcarousel-next-disabled').hide(); Litters of one to nine have been recorded. They’re found across Canada (although absent from a few islands, like Newfoundland, Vancouver and Prince Edward) and throughout the northeastern United States, as far … The celebration has grown in size and popularity since its first celebration. They eat grasses, other green plants, some fruits, and the bark and buds of trees. Rabbits and deer eat some of the same plants, so make sure to check for burrows before concluding that you have groundhogs. International Union for Conservation of Nature, Good NATURE: Pumas: Legends of the Ice Mountains, Jacob’s Story: Saving an Injured Lion in Uganda. Birds of prey and snakes also prey on groundhogs. }; Annuals fill the garden with flowers and fragrance from early spring until fall's first frost. In captivity, groundhogs reportedly live up to 14 years. Animals that are willing to eat a wide variety of foods will be much more likely to make it through those tough winters. What do groundhogs do to get ready for winter? To find out more see our, Safer® Brand Critter Ridder® Animal Repellent Granules, Critter Ridder® Motion-Activated Animal Repellent & Sprinkler, Havahart® Large 2-Door Safe Release Live Animal Cage Trap, Havahart® Large 1-Door Collapsible Easy Set® Trap, Havahart® Large 1-Door Animal Trap - 2 Pack, Havahart® Large 1-Door Collapsible Trap - 3 Pack. var startX, endX; var that = this; } Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. Peas, sweetcorn, lettuce, peaches, string beans, cantaloupe, vanilla extract, plantain, soy beans are the favorite foods to groundhogs. Rabbits }); if (this.count > this.visibleItems()) { $(this.id).find('.ctrl').show(); } else { $(this.id).find('.ctrl').hide(); } $('#brand-slider .panel:nth-child(' + idx + ')').remove(); [CDATA[ Identifying Features: brown fur; round body with a small bushy tail; short, strong legs with curved claws for burrowing; small, round eyes and ears located on the top of a flat heat; two long, ever-growing incisors. They also eat above-ground pest species like snails and slugs, grubs and other insects. if (url) { Order: | Rodentia The onion family is usually safe, except for leeks. Groundhogs offer several benefits to humans and the ecosystem. Despite their intense hibernation habits, male groundhogs may wake up early to start looking for potential mates. It is believed that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks. W.J. In the summer and fall groundhogs increase their consumption to accumulate fat reserves, which they use to survive through their winter hibernation period. BrandSlider.prototype.setItemWidth = function() { imageOpacity: 0.6, jQuery('.top-category-products .jcarousel-skin-tango .products-grid li.item').css('min-height','290px'); var visible = that.visibleItems(); $(that.id).find('.panel-wrap').css({'left':0}); You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Unfortunately, the vivid, pleasantly scented blooms tend to draw the attention of rabbits, cats, squirrels, groundhogs … Their digging activities damage gardens and other surface vegetation. return $(this.id).find('.ctrl').innerWidth(); }; }); $(that.id).find('.panel:first-child').attr('aria-hidden', false); if (xMove > 30 || xMove < -30) { Beavers, meanwhile, will gnaw on trees and wooden surfaces (which may include your deck or lawn furniture!) }); Groundhogs spend most of their time underground in complex burrow systems, which they dig in dry, well-drained soil. If it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early. One or two groundhogs are capable of eating into your garden almost overnight. Groundhogs eat leafy plants, fruits, and vegetables but also sometimes eat insects. }; $(that.id).find('.panel-wrap').css({'left':-1 * (visible * that.itemWidth())}); }; 'www.victorpest.com','www.terro.com', 'www.saferbrand.com', 'www.havahart.com', 'www.perkypet.com', 'www.mosquitomagnet.com', 'www.zarebasystems.com' var count = that.visibleItems(); Groundhogs will consume a wide variety of plants, but these are less likely to be their dinner. var maskWidth = (this.containerWidth() - (2 * this.navWidth())); They consume a large percentage of their meal in the mornings and they may eat another meal in the late evenings for around the same two hours as the mornings. To accommodate its large appetite, woodchucks grow upper and lower incisors that can withstand wear and tear because they grow about a sixteenth of an inch each week, according to NWF. Rats if (visible > this.count) { visible = this.count; } Family: | Sciuridae setTabHeight(); In some areas, groundhogs are so numerous that they are regarded as pests. Weasels. } return maskWidth; In the wild, they eat grasses, clover, and dandelions. Their underground burrows include multiple “rooms” with different purposes, including a sleeping chamber, a nursery chamber, and a waste chamber. Kitty litter (used) poured around one of the den holes (but not the other) is also … case 39: that.nextSlide(); break; zoomWidth: 374, Their feet are darker, and their underparts are buff. Conservation Status: The groundhog is classified as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. // Xavier Basketball 2020, Madea's Witness Protection Watch Online, How To Respond To All Good, Nat Sherman Cigarettes, Monkey D Kong Devil Fruit, Butterfly Agama Care, Best Store Bought Taco Sauce, Mexican Side Dishes For Potluck, Fiat Ducato Campervan Conversion, Jackson Riviera Tandem Kayak For Sale,