Oh yes, groundhogs can swim. 1. Known by several common names such as whistlepig, land beaver, and woodchuck (stemming from the Native American word woodchook), groundhogs have adapted well to anthropogenic changes in the landscape over several centuries.Because of their ability to thrive in human-dominated . 2022 Woodstream Corporation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. What is a fun fact about groundhogs regarding their hibernation? On average, groundhogs are about 20 inches long. 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. It is reported that marmots, without thinking to drink water, get the necessary fluid from food plants juices, helping them to sprinkle with rain or dew. var cid='1850725372';var pid='ca-pub-2821112619901616';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-outlifeexpert_com-medrectangle-3-0';var ffid=1;var alS=1021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);container.style.width='100%';var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;if(ffid==2){ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive='true';} Groundhogs do not drink water. Just like the other situations, this one has exceptions too. Like other related rodents, groundhogs are not afraid of water and are perfectly capable of swimming and even, though more rarely, diving! - Trees (specifically bark and twigs) like black cherry and dogwood. Lakes, streams, and ponds provide alternative food choices all year round. In Arkansas, for example, there's an estimated 67,000. Groundhogs go into profound hibernation, greatly reducing their metabolic rate, and their body temperature drops to just a few degrees above ambient temperature. But it will not works well, as groundhogs have many strategies to deal with heavy rain and flooding. To keep the growth of the front teeth in check the groundhogs have to constantly chew or gnaw on leaves or grass. This is because they need to drink water to stay hydrated. They stay hydrated by eating food plants wet from rain or dew area. Swimming tires squirrels out quickly. That discovery made sense because when I first approached my observation spot I saw a groundhog first look round and then scurry down the hill near the riverbank. Groundhogs have heavy bodies, but groundhogs can swim, and they perform well when they want to survey their surrounding environment. This is why it is important for them to stick close to the shoreline when they are near water sources and they tend to only spend a short time in the water as they cannot easily run to hide in their burrows! Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. All rights reserved. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency posted a video to Facebook on Monday of the. But they also may eat things we consider pests, such as grubs, other insects, and snails. 3. Welcome to my blog!My name is Andy, and I work as a scientist in biology. Groundhogs are important intermediaries in the food chain. For example, in 2018, a groundhog chased a woman in the parking lot of her office building. These rodents usually dig burrows in grassy areas and eat through gardens causing a lot of damage. They have drainage systems and emergency exits that make drowning them very challenging! Yes, groundhogs can dive underwater and can even stay underwater for some time. (However, baby groundhogs sometimes do fall prey to raptors such as hawks, owls, and eagles.) One reason why groundhogs may go into the water is to escape predators. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. They're actually anything but. Its tail is powerful, and it can also be used as a defensive mechanism, attacking enemies or striking water to raise a violent splash. They provide edible aquatic plants, insects and other foods groundhogs need for sustenance. Yeah, that's right, groundhogs can climb too. 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. Nutria - Long, slightly furry tail and large, orange teeth. Heres what the science says. Groundhogs enter into deep hibernation in the winter, at which time they are underground and inactive. They create a den to live in, and to hibernate in. Mating season starts in early March, ideal timing as food becomes more abundantand theres just enough time to start packing on the body fat theyll need for the winter ahead.Females welcome a litter of perhaps a half-dozen newborns, which stay with their mother for several months. Groundhog burrows are so complex that each has its own "bathroom" chamber. While groundhogs typically avoid water, there are a few reasons why they may go near it or even enter it. What are some other names for groundhogs? Swimming skills_Swimming skills diagram_Swimming ventilation skills. They are known to be excellent architects. Groundhogs dont always dive but it does come in handy when they are escaping a predator that is comfortable in the water. These rodents frequent the areas where woodlands meet open spaces, like fields, roads, or streams. And among some marmot species, these can be very dangerous. Groundhogs, or woodchucks, are large rodents known for their burrowing habits and destructive behavior. GROUNDHOG BEHAVIOR: Groundhogs are diggers. 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. When this happens, groundhogs and their young run for safety. The average weight of a groundhog will range from 6-12 pounds. You can plant strong-smelling plants such as garlic, basil, lavender, and chives around your favorite vegetables. YES! However, they only occasionally climb trees. The short answer is YES, you should. That is, groundhogs don't swim for fun. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. WWII soldiers accidentally discovered this ancient royal tomb, Why some people celebrate Christmas in January. On average, groundhogs measure 1 to 2.5 feet long and weigh 7 to 13 pounds, although they can potentially grow to be 24 inches (3 feet) long and weigh as much as 30 pounds when in an area with few predators. Just make sure your scarecrow is big and scary enough to deter groundhogs from getting anywhere near your tomatoes, zucchini, or backyard flowers! They can be very destructive. Each burrow opening is between 10 to 12 inches in diameter and is generally marked by a crescent-shaped mound of dirt. Tradition dictates that if a groundhog sees its shadow that day, there will be six more weeks of winter, though such a prediction seems a sure bet over much of the groundhogs North American range. Groundhog Swimming 6-16-14 7,416 views Jun 16, 2014 21 Dislike Share rhodagerig 808 subscribers Saw something floating down the river and was surprised to find that it was a groundhog. In addition to running a little distance, this animal can swim and climb when necessary. Thanks. Squirrels are agile. Animal-friendly laws are gaining traction across the U.S. COVID-19 is more widespread in animals than we thought. Their tails are about 6-7 inches long, and they have short, but strong legs. They are actually large squirrels. Click to read more at Amazon. A groundhog photographed in Lincoln, Nebraska. Habits. 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. Scarecrows may look a little funny in your garden, but they work surprisingly well. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. Groundhogs are doing it right. The name whistle-pig, which is most common in Appalachia, stems from groundhogs habit of making a high-pitched whistling sound, usually as a warning to other groundhogs when they feel threatened. That's about one groundhog for every 45 humans. Groundhog hibernation gave rise to the popular U.S. custom of Groundhog Day, held on the second of February every year. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. They live underground. Most of the time groundhogs dig their burrows in areas with nearby cover such as fencerows, hedgerows, beside structures, home foundations or trees. Some of the commercial groundhog repellents available include Shake-Away, BonideRepels All, Critter Ridder, and Tom Cate Repellent. When the groundhogs tunnel is flooded, they simply go to an upper chamber of the tunnel that is dry. They excavate tunnels and burrows underground, in which they live and raise young. What is the most notorious pest in the Eastern US? Some groundhogs even have more than one burrow. Because of their relatively large adult size and burrowingnot to mention climbing and swimming abilitiesgroundhogs don't have many predators aside from coyotes, foxes, domestic dogs, and, of course, humans. Getting a wildlife control professional to help could cost about $400 per groundhog! The tunnel may have up to five entrances and 50 feet of total tunnel distance. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. This will be strong enough to stop them from getting through while still allowing for airflow and sunlight. They are hydrated by eating plants moistened by rain or dew. Groundhogs do not drink water. Narrator: Imagine finding this at your front door. Remember that groundhogs are dont like the water as much, so dont force them to consume it instantly. Groundhogs spend most of their time underground in complex burrow systems, which they dig in dry, well-drained soil. But what about the injuries! But can groundhogs swim? 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. 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. Even worse, groundhogs have been known to carry rabies, which can make them even more aggressive and dangerous. While many Americans would recognize famed Punxsutawney Phil as a groundhog, they may not know much else about the species. Size. Swimming fast means training fast, and fins help you do that. Unauthorized use is prohibited. 3 They also know how to prevent heat loss they . They are not just expert diggers and great climbers, they are talented swimmers too. Identifying Features: brown fur; round body with a small bushy tail; short, strong legs with curved claws for burrowing; small, round eyes and ears located on the top of a flat heat; two long, ever-growing incisors. 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