Groundhogs (Woodchuck):
The groundhog is a larger member of the rodent
family. The name Groundhog probably came from the fact that it has a
squat appearance, waddling gait, and lives in burrows dug into the
ground. The groundhog is a medium-sized, rotund animal, with short
legs, a bushy (though flattened) tail, a broad head with short ears
that can be closed over the ear openings to keep out the dirt while
digging, 4 large toes with claws (and one smaller in front) and 5
large clawed toes in back. Their color is generally grayish-brown
with a yellowish to reddish tint. They weight ranges from 4 to 14
pounds. Their life span in the wild averages 5 to 6 years.
Groundhogs are found from as far north as Alaska, throughout Canada
and in the Eastern half of the United States (but not as likely in
the deep south).
Food Preferences
They are vegetarian - grasses, plants, herbs, leaves, flowers,
apples, paw paws, your garden crops of peas, beans corn, etc.
Habits and Behaviors
Groundhogs are Diurnal (active during the daylight hours) and seem
to prefer to make their own homes, by burrowing a tunnel from 10 to
45 feet long, into a larger nest chamber. If chased by a predator,
they may enter their tunnels, and wall-up the entrance with dirt.
Tunnel openings are usually well camouflaged with vegetation, and
many side entrances may be dug into the nest site. They eat like
crazy during the summer and early fall, because they hibernate
during the winter, living off the stored body fat. Favorite summer
activities appear to be eating, digging and basking in the sun.
Enemies
Humans and their automobiles, dogs, foxes, coyotes, ticks, fleas,
roundworms, flies and their larvae, tularemia.
Helpful to the Environment
Aeration and mixing of the soil (we who live in this area know how
tough the clay is) which improves usability of crop lands; awesome
construction abilities have provided homes for other animals, such
as skunks, opossums, foxes and rabbits.
MAYNARD'S STORY
Maynard arrived at the Clinic weighing less than 1/2 pound and
completely bald except for three hairs on his chin when he should
have been fully furred. He was very bloated from not being whizzed
(the term rehabbers use describing the physical stimulation of
the urinary and bowel tracts) which was a major concern. Upon
failing to react to stimulation, Maynard was rushed to Dr. Brian
Reiter, D,V.M. in Fenton. Dr. Brian said, "Don't get your hopes up
on this one."
First we hydrated and then gradually introduced the proper formula
for wild animals. Maynard eagerly accepted the fluids given and his
stomach looked like a blown-up balloon when finished. The first
attempt to whiz was a failure. We ran water in the sink, like you
might do for a child, and it worked. Maynard continued to grow from
that day forward except for his hair.
Sun bathing, dirt to play in, outdoor outings, proper nutrition,
nothing made his hair grow. Tissue samples were sent off. Results
were inconclusive. We tried herbal medicines and no hair grew.
Finally we noticed some fuzz on his tail. The fuzz changed to hair
which grew from his tail ever so slowly up to his head.
