This coming Friday is Groundhog\u2019s Day.\u00a0 So here are a few interesting facts about Groundhogs\u2026<\/p>\n
Groundhogs are not related to hogs at all but are marmots closely related to squirrels.\u00a0 They are basically a giant ground squirrel. They\u2019re widely distributed across North America from northern Alabama all the way up to Alaska.<\/p>\n
They truly hibernate over the winter.\u00a0 They go into a deep sleep in mid to late October until early spring.\u00a0 Their body temperature falls from around 99 degrees to around 40 and their heart rate slows from around 80 beats per minute to around 5!<\/p>\n
They\u2019re sometimes called Whistle Pigs (because of their high-pitched squeals) or Land Beavers.\u00a0 Their most common nickname is Woodchuck.<\/p>\n
So how much wood could a woodchuck chuck?<\/strong><\/p>\n The name \u201cWoodchuck\u201d has nothing to do with wood at all.\u00a0 It is based on the Native American word for them which is \u201cWuchak.\u201d<\/p>\n The problem with Woodchucks\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n A woodchuck can dig an impressive burrow\u2014from eight to over fifty feet long.\u00a0 This can play havoc with farm vehicles driving over them.\u00a0 The other problem is that woodchucks eat plants.<\/p>\n By the way, if you happen to be bothered by groundhogs in your yard, here\u2019s what to do:\u00a0 Because groundhogs are solitary creatures, the average homeowner will usually have to deal with only one or two.\u00a0 Set out cruelty-free traps with suitable bait (usually fruit), checking traps every day so as to minimize stress on the animal if you catch it.\u00a0 Let it go elsewhere.<\/p>\n Repellents are very effective\u2014use any repellent labeled to repel moles and\/or voles.\u00a0 If you see an entrance to their burrow, you can \u201cflood\u201d them out with a hose, then put the repellent down to keep them from returning.<\/p>\n