Reproduction: Mating season begins in early spring, once groundhogs emerge from hibernation. Mothers give birth to 2-4 kits, and these baby woodchucks remain with the mother for
2 months
before becoming independent.
How old are groundhogs when they leave the nest?
The mother nurses them and feeds them fresh grass. They are weaned when they are about 6 weeks old. They leave their mother’s den when they are
3 months old
and are fully grown by the time they are 2 years old. Groundhogs are also called woodchucks and whistlers.
What time of year do woodchucks have babies?
(The average life span for a woodchuck in the wild is five to six years.) Males and females breed in March or April, after which they have no further contact; the female raises the young alone. Woodchucks give birth from
early April to mid-May
following a 32-day gestation period. One litter contains four to six kits.
How fast do baby groundhogs grow?
The babies are blind and hairless, but quickly become
mature in just three months or so
. When they are mature, they typically leave their mother to dig their own homes.
How many babies do woodchucks have in a litter?
As birth of the young approaches in April or May, the male leaves the den. One litter is produced annually. Female woodchucks give birth to 1 to 9 offspring, with
most litters ranging between 3 and 5 pups
. Groundhog mothers introduce their young to the wild once their fur is grown in and they can see.
Is it bad to have a groundhog in your yard?
The short answer is
YES, you should
. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. These rodents usually dig burrows in grassy areas and eat through gardens causing a lot of damage.
How many times a year do woodchucks have babies?
Breeding season takes place after hibernation ends in approximately March, depending on geographic area and environmental temperatures. There is a single groundhog litter born each year for each female and the gestation period is approximately 30 days. Groundhogs can deliver
up to five offspring at a time
.
How many groundhogs usually live together?
4. Family values. In general, groundhog social groups consist of
one adult male and two adult females
, each with an offspring from the previous breeding season (usually female), and the current litter of infants.
Do groundhogs have more than one hole?
Groundhogs often have two separate burrows, one for summer (grassy field area) and one for winter (wooded area). During the approximately three month hibernation period, groundhogs enter their winter burrows which have only one entrance. …
Summer burrows have multiples
entrances with a mound of soil next to them.
What do you do if you have a groundhog in your yard?
- Sprinkle blood meal, ground black pepper, dried blood, or talcum powder around the perimeter of your garden. …
- Puree and strain hot peppers and garlic, mix them with water and enough liquid soap to make it stick, and spray it liberally around the garden.
Do woodchucks carry their babies?
Reproduction: Mating season begins in early spring, once groundhogs emerge from hibernation.
Mothers give birth to 2-4 kits
, and these baby woodchucks remain with the mother for 2 months before becoming independent.
How small of a hole can a groundhog fit through?
They can damage trees with their persistent gnawing. They do this to keep their ever-growing teeth at a manageable length. They can fit through holes that are
3-inch x 4-inch
and enjoy denning under porches and decks. The characteristic mound of earth at the den entrance is a good indicator.
What is the best Groundhog bait?
In Havahart® field tests,
cantaloupe
was the best bait for attracting groundhogs and woodchucks. Cut cantaloupe into 2′′ cubes, and rub the cantaloupe juice and rind throughout the inside and outside of the trap.
Where does the dirt go when a groundhog dig a hole?
The groundhog is a very clean animal and will deposit all its waste in this
latrine area
. After the latrine is full, the area is sealed off and another latrine area is dug. At times, the groundhog will remove the dried excrement and bury it outside the burrow.
Will a groundhog hurt a dog?
“Groundhogs do have large incisors like rodents do, so your dog stands a chance of being bitten. … While the groundhog may not threaten your pets,
it can be in danger from other predators
.
Can a groundhog damage my house?
Groundhogs like
to burrow
. They can create tunnels below your home that are 45 feet long and five feet deep. These holes can cause significant damage. … Eventually, the growing void could lead to foundation failure.
