FYI Magazine
Dig into some groundhog trivia
- Created on Thursday, 02 February 2017 00:43
- Published on Thursday, 02 February 2017 00:43
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Each February, thousands of people gather at locations across the country to watch a hairy animal pop out of a hole and predict the weather. Although most people know that there is no actual way a groundhog can be a weather prognosticator, what a groundhog actually is and does might not be so obvious.
National Geographic says that a groundhog, also called a woodchuck, is one of 14 species of marmots. Marmots are rodents, or large ground squirrels. These animals gorge themselves during the summer to build up fat reserves. After the first frost arrives, they nestle down in burrows to hibernate the winter away. The groundhog is able to slow its heartbeat down considerably and survive with a body temperature that is not much warmer than its burrow environs.
Although groundhogs are most readily thought of as living on the ground -- hence the name -- they are actually able to climb trees like their squirrel cousins. They also can swim rather well. Still, the majority of a groundhog's life is spent close to the earth feeding on plants, grasses and fruits. Once a groundhog gets into a home garden, it can be difficult to get him out.
Groundhogs reside across North America, although they are more common in the Northeastern and Central United States. Groundhogs have been found as far north as Alaska.
Although they are aggressive by nature and will be territorial among their species and defend their territory -- often fighting to establish dominance -- most groundhogs will run from humans to the safety of a burrow. It can take quite a lot of socialization to produce the groundhogs handled for Groundhogs Day celebrations.
Groundhogs can be quite vocal, using a high-pitched whistle to alert others to danger. They may also make barking sounds or squeal if injured. When frightened, the groundhog also may raise the hairs on its body and tail, making the animal look larger.
The most well-known groundhog prognosticators are Punxsutawney Phil, Staten Island Chuck, Wiarton Willie, and General Beauregard Lee. TF122803
