GROUNDHOG
A groundhog’s teeth never stop growing. Their incisors can grow up to 1/16″ per week, which is why they are constantly gnawing on things to keep them from getting too long.
OVERVIEW
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
AVERAGE SIZE
Compared to a 6′ Man
AVERAGE WEIGHT
Females: 60-80 lbs
Males: 70-145 lbs
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
13 Years
DIET
Mostly Herbivore
REGIONS
North America
LOCATION
Groundhogs are found across much of North America, including the eastern and central United States, Canada, and Alaska. They inhabit open areas like fields, pastures, and woodlands, often near rocky outcrops or shrubby areas. Groundhogs adapt well to different environments but tend to avoid dense forest areas.
Groundhogs are distributed from eastern Alaska across the southern half of Canada to the Atlantic Ocean and south in the eastern half of the United States to states like Arkansas, Mississippi, and North Carolina, according to NC Wildlife. They are known for their burrowing habits and create extensive underground systems with multiple chambers for various purposes, like nesting and waste disposal.
APPEARANCE
Groundhogs are stocky, ground-dwelling rodents known for their strong digging abilities and distinctive appearance. Adults typically measure 16 to 22 inches long and weigh between 4 and 14 pounds, giving them a solid, compact build. Their short, powerful legs and long, curved front claws are perfectly adapted for digging the intricate burrow systems they call home.
Their fur ranges from grizzled grayish-brown to reddish-brown, with darker shading on their feet, legs, and bushy tail. This dense coat includes a soft under layer and longer guard hairs that give them a slightly “frosted” look. Groundhogs have a broad, flat head with small, rounded ears and dark, alert eyes. Their chisel-shaped front teeth—always growing—are used for chewing tough plants and even helping with excavation. Their tails, typically 3 to 10 inches long, add a bit of balance to their low-to-the-ground bodies and help with communication and thermoregulation.
CHARACTERISTICS
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are fascinating creatures with a unique set of characteristics that help them thrive in their environment. As members of the marmot family, they are expert burrowers—using their strong limbs and curved claws to dig complex underground tunnel systems. These burrows can be up to 5 feet deep and over 30 feet long, often with multiple entrances and separate chambers for sleeping, nesting, and even using the bathroom. Their ability to modify their habitat not only benefits them, but also provides shelter for other animals like rabbits and skunks once abandoned.
Groundhogs are mostly solitary and highly territorial, especially during the warmer months when they spend most of their time foraging. They are true hibernators, meaning they enter a deep sleep during the winter in which their heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism drop dramatically. This helps them survive the cold months without eating. Before hibernation begins, usually in late fall, groundhogs will consume large amounts of food to build up fat reserves—sometimes doubling their body weight.While mostly herbivorous, they may occasionally eat small animals, such as grubs, grasshoppers, snails, and even bird eggs and baby birds.
Though they appear slow and clumsy, groundhogs are surprisingly agile. They can climb trees to escape predators or reach leaves and fruits, and they are also strong swimmers. On land, they can move quickly in short bursts if threatened. Their sharp incisors are constantly growing and kept in check through regular gnawing on plants, bark, or wood. Groundhogs also communicate with a variety of sounds, including whistles, squeals, and low barks—earning them the nickname “whistle pig” in some regions.
Despite their shy nature, groundhogs play a vital role in their ecosystem and are an important part of North America’s wildlife.