Groundhogs
Marmota monax
Appearance
- Stocky in build.
- Coarse grayish-brown fur.
- 17-26" long.
- Bushy tail.
- Thick, curved claws.
Lifecycle
- Breed in Spring.
- Produce one litter per year.
- The young are independent by midsummer.
- Hibernate in the Fall, emerge in Spring.
- Can live up to 6 years in the wild, longer in captivity.
Habits
- Location - Open pastures, fields, ditches, roadsides. In residential areas beneath patios, decks, garages.
- Hibernation - Groundhogs construct burrows. They build a separate burrow for Winter hibernation.
- Visibility – Seen during early Spring, but in warmer months stay in their burrows, emerging early morning or night for feeding.
- Feeding - grass, leaves, seeds, fruit.
