Getting to know the groundhog

• Groundhogs (Marmota monax) are also known as woodchucks or land-beavers.

• Groundhogs are common in both the United States and Canada. In the United States, they are found as far north as Alaska, with their habitat extending southeast to Alabama.

• Groundhogs can move up to 700 pounds of dirt to create one burrow. A burrow usually has two to five entrances.

• When they are alarmed, groundhogs use a high-pitch whistle to warn other groundhogs of danger, thus inheriting the name of “whistle pig.”

• During hibernation, groundhogs only breathe once every six minutes.

• In most areas, groundhogs hibernate from October to March or April, but in more temperate areas, they can hibernate for as little as three months.

Sources: The Morton Arboretum, groundhog-day.123holiday.net, groundhogcentral.com and hoghaven.com.