The groundhog has several nicknames, including “
woodchuck,” “land beaver” and “whistlepig
.” Woodchuck likely originates from a Native American word, wejack or woodshaw, and may have roots in the Algonquian name for the animal, wuchak.
What are the two groundhogs names?
- Chattanooga Chuck – Tennessee.
- French Creek Freddie – West Virginia.
- Buckeye Chuck – Ohio.
- Essex Ed – New Jersey.
- Jimmy the Groundhog – Wisconsin.
What do Southerners call groundhogs?
Varmint
: Anywhere they are a nuisance! According to Dictionary.com, this word is chiefly used in Southern and South Midland US. Woodchuck: Thought to come from a Colonial corruption of the Cree Indian name “otcheck.”
What are the names of the three groundhogs?
- Grover the Groundhog of Pine Grove, Pa. …
- Octorara Orphie of Lancaster, Pa. …
- Sir Walter Wally of Raleigh, N.C. …
- Dunkirk Dave of Dunkirk, N.Y. …
- Pierre C. …
- Chuckles IX the state groundhog of Connecticut. …
- Staten Island Chuck of Staten Island, N.Y.
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.
Are groundhogs good for anything?
A
groundhog will help itself to anything
and everything you have planted. They are vegetarians and are partial to leaves, flowers and grasses. They especially like certain garden crops like carrots, beans and peas. They will even climb trees to eat apples and pears.
How many babies do groundhogs have?
Groundhog mating season is in the early spring and, after only a month-long pregnancy, mother groundhogs typically give birth to a litter of
two to six blind, hairless babies
. Young groundhogs are called kits, pups, or sometimes chucklings.
Which groundhog is most accurate?
According to museum officials,
Wally
has been correct 58% of the time vs. Punxsutawney Phil’s 39%.
How long does a groundhog live?
Lifespan: In the wild, groundhogs can live
up to six years with two or three being average
. In captivity, groundhogs reportedly live up to 14 years. Breeding: Groundhogs tend to be solitary except in the spring when a litter of four to six young are born. Litters of one to nine have been recorded.
What do a groundhog look like?
Members of the squirrel family, groundhogs are squarish, stocky animals that typically weigh between 4 and 14 pounds. The have short, strong legs; coarse, grizzled, gray-brown fur; small ears; a short, bushy tail; and curved claws. Groundhogs look a bit like
runaway fur coats
as they waddle back to their burrows.
Are groundhogs aggressive?
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern US. They dig burrows in grassy areas and are known to eat through gardens. They’re hard to get rid of because
they are aggressive animals
, and can have rabies.
What is the difference between a gopher and a groundhog?
While both types of rodent eat mostly vegetation, gophers prefer roots and tubers (much to the dismay of gardeners trying to plant new specimens), while
groundhogs like vegetation and fruits
. This means that the former animals rarely emerge from their burrows, while the latter are more commonly seen out and about.
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
.
How do I get rid of groundhogs permanently?
- Bait the groundhog into a trap, catch it, and then release it in a wooded area five miles away from your home.
- Create vibrations in the ground to scare them away.
- Smoke them out of their tunnel.
- Pour ammonia down their tunnel.
- Deter with garlic and pepper.
Can a groundhog damage my house?
Groundhog Damage to Your Home or Foundation
Groundhogs like
to burrow
. They can create a network of 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.
How can you tell if a groundhog is male or female?
The entire body and tail are covered with fur.
Males and females groundhogs look similar
, but the males may be slightly larger in size. Groundhogs have dense, stout bodies with short legs. Their long, curved claws are perfect for digging their underground burrows.
