We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The problem is that groundhogsalso known as woodchucks or whistle-pigs are binge eaters who can wipe out your vegetable garden in a matter of minutes. Groundhogs spend most of their time underground in complex burrow systems, which they dig in dry, well-drained soil. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Groundhogs have sharp claws, which makes it possible for groundhogs to climb the trees. They provide food for coyotes, foxes, weasels, badgers, hawks, and eagles. Five Things You Didnt Know about Groundhogs, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, masters program in conservation medicine. Gyorko has twin boys. Average Size: 20" long with 6-7" tail, 6-12 lbs. The included metal stake makes it easy to install in your backyard, and the sprinkler can be rotated 180 degrees for maximum coverage.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'outlifeexpert_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',184,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outlifeexpert_com-leader-4-0'); Groundhogs and groundhogs, as well as other animals that may invade your garden, tend to have very good hearing. No; Earthquakes form their holes so that floods will not trap and fall on them. Generally, Groundhog doesnt drink water as much. Groundhog holes may be located near trees, walls or fences. Groundhogs do not eat during hibernation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Groundhog swims better than the other animals of that species. Either hand that they have to assist with life in the water is entirely waterproof. If they are attacked or they feel attacked and they are not close to their burrows, they can decide on swimming. One or two groundhogs are capable of eating into your garden almost overnight. But when necessary, groundhogs can carry their own in the water. Behavior & Sounds Secretive and elusive by nature, fishers like to keep their distance from humans. Groundhog typically moves at 3-kilo meters per hour ( around 1.86 miles per hour ). Because of this, groundhog control efforts will only be effective in warmer months. Hibernation dens are seen at the end of the burrow and are lined with grass. ), 2. ";s:4:"text";s:10393:"When Ben assumes control of Klaus' body, his choice of inspirational lyrics isn't quite as fitting, opting for Backstreet Boys' "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". [2] The groundhog is a lowland creature of North America; it is found through much of the Eastern United States, across Canada and into Alaska. The lifespan of a raccoon in the wild is one to three years-compared with the potential to live 20 years in captivity-as most fall victim to predation, disease or moving cars at a relatively young age. Smoke them out of their tunnel. Primarily herbivores, groundhogs eat a variety of plants, including from peoples gardens. Unfortunately, sometimes nature and humans intervene. If you follow them, they will usually hide inside the holes. 2022 Woodstream Corporation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Thanks. They can be very destructive. For starters, groundhog is a misnomer, said Chris Whittier, V97, research assistant professor of conservation medicine at Cummings School. Here they eat grasses and plants as well as fruits and tree bark. (However, baby groundhogs sometimes do fall prey to raptors such as hawks, owls, and eagles.). Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Getting a wildlife control professional to help could cost about $400 per groundhog! Swimming skills_Swimming skills diagram_Swimming ventilation skills. Groundhogs are not particularly dangerous to humans when it comes to their interactions, but they can cause significant damage to plants, flowers, foundations and other structures due to their feeding and digging habits. A raccoon's main predators include bobcats, foxes, coyotes and owls. That's about as long as a bowling lane. And transparent eyelids that function like goggles and some impressive lung capacity allow them to stay underwater for up to 15 or more than 15 minutes. That is, groundhogs don't swim for fun. An adult consumes between 1-1/2 lbs. You can plant strong-smelling plants such as garlic, basil, lavender, and chives around your favorite vegetables. Groundhogs do not drink water. They may start to spend more. A groundhog was caught on video showing off its surprisingly swift swimming skills in Tennessee last week. How long can a groundhog stay underwater? It is the . About Groundhog research scientific only stay underwater for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Other food sources include tree bark, bird eggs, and small invertebrates. The groundhogs tunnel is made in such a way that it will be secure from flooding in most cases. They provide edible aquatic plants, insects and other foods groundhogs need for sustenance. Either hand that they have to assist with life in the water is entirely waterproof. Fishers are agile, swift and excellent climbers, with the ability to turn their back feet nearly 180 degrees allowing them to climb head-first down trees. They are primarily active during the daytime. For example, they communicate with one another using high-pitched shrills to warn each other of approaching threats. It was actually imported from a German tradition that bases forecasting on the behavior of the European badgera totally unrelated small mammal of the carnivoreas opposed to rodentorder, but one that does also burrow and undergo a less intense form of hibernation. This is the part of their behavior that has led to North American Groundhog Day tradition. And by the observation and some research, they are also able to survive fine in the winter and continue to function normally in the water, even when the lake or pond is frozen on top. 6 inches and weighs 4 to 9 pounds. Its tail is mighty and can also be used as a defensive device either by hitting an enemy or slamming it into the water to create an intense splash. They dont like water that much, so they only get in if theyre afraid or hungry enough. Account active They do not stay in bodies of water if they can help it. In and out of them as crops and climate change. Groundhogs are the bane of many a gardener. Groundhogs are burrowers by nature. As one of the largest members of the squirrel family, these rodents live a feast-or-famine lifestyle: They gorge themselves all summer to build up plentiful reserves of fat, then after the first frost retreat to their underground burrows to snooze until spring, . Swimming tires squirrels out quickly. But that's not the interesting thing. The groundhogs fur does not accumulate dirt, but dust and dirt slide off easily. Burrows may have connecting tunnels that are about 6 inches in diameter. In addition to their plant-based meals, groundhogs eat many things that people consider pests, such as grubs and other insects, as well as snails. These groundhogs (woodchucks) can do this due to their sharp teeth. They dont drink water because they are reported to obtain needed liquids from the food and plants juices and aided by their sprinkling with rain. Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. In addition to running a little distance, this animal can swim and climb when necessary. A groundhog photographed in Lincoln, Nebraska. to hold their breath when underwater.Groundhogs can dive and hold their breath instinctively, but they do not enjoy doing so! Groundhogs will often devour your seedlings before they even have time to grow. Why is it important to identify groundhog damage early? You will need to be careful when using these though because some of them can end up harming you and your pets if not applied properly. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Groundhogs can in fact swim just as their closely related cousins the gophers also sometimes enjoy a good swim in a small stream or lake. If you have a lot of plants to protect this way, it may be a good idea to invest in some commercial mirrors or electronic light emitters like the ones shown above. Swimming fast means training fast, and fins help you do that. They build extensive burrows anywhere from eight to 66 feet long with multiple entrances and rooms, including bathrooms. The first heavy frost marks bedtime, and the groundhog curls up into a ball in its bedchamber and slows its breathing and heart rate. In such an event, they may . Groundhog burrowing can pose a serious threat to agricultural and residential developments, which is why it's important to identify groundhog damage early. This kick is considered the most powerful for swimming underwater. Fishers are elusive, forest-dwelling members of the weasel family with long, slim bodies, short legs, rounded ears and bushy tails. The name is derived from the Algonquian name for the critters, wuchak . 4. On average, a groundhog can hold its breath for 2 to 5 minutes but they are not naturally inclined to do so - unless they go swimming! After researching groundhogs briefly after my encounter, I found out that groundhogs do indeed swim in order to evade predators or survey their territory for potential food sources! Groundhogs Can Swim - Who Knew??? Groundhogs will do their best to avoid crossing paths with humans. Forgoing up down a tree headfirst an uncommon power for a mammal of its size a raccoon makes, goes round its back feet so they are pointing back part first. You can also buy natural repellants like the one shown here from Amazon. Groundhogs are not high-maintenance when it comes to keeping clean. Therefore many people would like to get rid of them and one solution is to flood their burrows. News stories have shown "stranded" groundhogs during floods were, in fact, simply resting on fences or in trees before swimming off to wherever they can find rest. And, it doesn't seem likely that it got there by accident. Motion-activated lights, sounds, and sprinklers may help prevent groundhogs from entering your yard. (The pig is similar to how we refer to woodchucks rodent-cousin the guinea pig. They are actually large squirrels. Groundhogs usually have two divisions, one for summer (meadow) and one for wooden winter places. Mothers give birth to 2-4 kits, and these baby woodchucks remain with the mother for 2 months before becoming independent. Groundhog typically moves at 3-kilo meters per hour ( around 1.86 miles per hour ). The tunnel may have up to five entrances and 50 feet of total tunnel distance. Bait the groundhog into a trap, catch it, and then release it in a wooded area five miles away from your home. But what other attributes do they possess? The shadow-observing lore has no scientific basis. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community. Using live traps to catch the groundhog and drive it away to somewhere safe, but far away, is perhaps the best option if you want to get completely rid of groundhogs in your yard! Heres what the science says. Groundhogs usually eat fruits, vegetables, tree bark, greens, and other kinds of vegetation. Can groundhogs swim underwater? The answer is yes, and we have them here in Iowa. They might not be friendly but they are not aggressive too. A good shake should do it! What happens when the groundhog curls up in its bedchamber? Even though they are often found near water, groundhogs are not necessarily happy swimmers. Quick Tips for Identifying Arkansas's Large Rodents. (Night, Day, Weather, Seasons), Mountain Lions, Mating, Reproduction, Babies, and More. 3. Here's what we really know. If it is fluffy, its a groundhog, if its round and smooth, its a nutria, if it is flat and smooth, its a beaver! As one of the largest members of the squirrel family, these rodents live a feast-or-famine lifestyle: They gorge themselves all summer to build up plentiful reserves of fat, then after the first frost retreat to their underground burrows to snooze until spring, drawing their sustenance from body fat. The groundhog uses its paws and paddle-like tail to swim and help them stay afloat and navigate lakes and ponds with ease. Another reason why groundhogs may enter the water is to find food. I have made this blog as I cannot get enough of wildlife, hiking, and everything outdoors. Groundhogs will not go into the water unless absolutely necessary, but their cousins, the gophers, are sometimes seen swimming around in streams and ponds. A misnomer, said Chris Whittier, V97, research assistant professor of conservation medicine Cummings! 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