A Little Bit More
Woodchucks or Groundhogs (Marmota monax) are one of our better-known mammals since they’re active during the daylight hours when we’re likely to see them. It is believed that Woodchucks were relatively uncommon in presettlement days but as eastern forests were cleared, more and more suitable habitat was available for this large ground squirrel to increase in numbers. As mentioned in the poster, their burrows are not always popular with homeowners and farmers but they do serve as important shelters for many other animals. Woodchuck burrows are regularly used by foxes, Opossums, rabbits, skunks, and weasels making this burrowing mammal an important member of its community.
Woodchuck burrow in a forest setting © John Wiessinger
Woodchuck burrows often have multiple entrances/exits with tunnels up to 7-9m (25-30ft) long and this includes a side burrow used exclusively as a bathroom. Their burrows are therefore kept quite clean with only periodic excavating as necessary.
Woodchucks are herbivores feeding on a wide variety of plants and this often puts them in direct conflict with gardeners – it’s pretty upsetting to find out a Woodchuck has just “mowed” all of your peas.
Woodchucks have strong front feet © John Wiessinger
Woodchucks are just one of six different kinds of marmots found in North America. These stocky, digging mammals are large members of the squirrel family. Only the Woodchuck is widespread on the continent with the other members found only in limited ranges or in habitats that are not where most people live.
Activities
Science & Social Studies – Groundhog Day
Objectives: Use the internet to research a tradition
Materials: Internet access
Groundhog Day is very much a part of our culture in North America. But the tradition goes far back in time to Europe and no one is entirely sure when and how it began. North American settlers brought their traditions with them to the New World and incorporated the Woodchuck (Groundhog) into what they had in Europe.
Have your students use the internet to see if they can learn the history of Groundhog Day and why we celebrate it in North America. I was tempted to include some internet sources but this is an easy one so everyone should be able to accomplish this on their own.
Key Concepts
Structures and Functions, Life Cycles, Identification, Behavior and Regulation, Adaptations and Diversity
Questions
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