Groundhogs, also known as Woodchucks, are the only rodents with their own holiday and their own bathroom (see facts at bottom of article). Groundhog Day is one of the connections with the natural world that many Americans still appreciate. The celebration, with its origin in German Christian tradition, is also rooted in the intersection of humans and the natural world. From November through February these furry rodents hibernate underground in a grass-lined next. Their body temperature drops as low as 37 degrees—just above freezing. This low temperature slows its metabolic rate and food demands. Its rated of breathing slows to only 20 time in an hour and its heart beats only 4-5 times a minute.
Groundhog hibernation gave rise to the popular American custom of Groundhog Day, held on the second of February every year. Tradition dictates that if a groundhog sees its shadow that day, there will be six more weeks of winter, though such a prediction seems probable over much of the groundhog's North American range.
The groundhog can go for 4-5 months without food or water, but when a thaw hits and perhaps some snow melts into the den, the groundhog may interrupt its hibernation with a bout of foraging and gorging. So a February Groundhog sighting is a hopeful sign of impending spring. They remind us to dream of warm sunshine and spring.
The Groundhog will emerge for the season when plants are plentiful and will eat a pound of greens or grasses in a day. When these are scarce they will also eat insects, eggs and bark. Groundhogs love clover. By summers end they will have doubled their weight (6.6-13.2 lb.; 3-6 kg).
Groundhog / Woodchuck facts
- Baby groundhogs are called cubs or kits
- They build separate bathroom rooms in their burrows and never deffocate in the main living quarters
- Woodchucks do not chuck wood—but they do sharpen their teeth on wood
- Groundhogs can swim
- Groundhogs are the largest member of the squirrel family
- Groundhogs can whistle –see video
Celebrate Groundhog Day by taking a winter walk with a youngster.
Sources:
Comments