{"id":1056,"date":"2023-02-01T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gradyvet.com\/blog\/?p=1056"},"modified":"2023-01-31T13:28:43","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T18:28:43","slug":"groundhog-facts-not-mere-prognostication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gradyvet.com\/blog\/groundhog-facts-not-mere-prognostication\/","title":{"rendered":"Groundhog Facts, Not Mere Prognostication"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Groundhog<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Woodchucks Among Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Groundhog Day. A cute holiday and a classic movie. And a very common animal in Ohio. You’ve probably seen them in the wild. Here are some fun groundhog facts to celebrate their special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Groundhog Fact: Member of the Squirrel Family<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Groundhogs are marmots and are members of the squirrel family. But they are clearly much bigger! Males can grow almost 27 inches in length, and adults weigh<\/a> between 4 lb. 7 oz. and 13 lb. 14 oz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Groundhog<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Groundhog Fact: Their Burrows Can Be 66 Feet Long<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A groundhog is a solitary creature who lives in a self-made burrow. These can be up to 66 feet long!<\/a> So, Punxsutawney Phil probably doesn’t care if winter lasts another six weeks. He can spend the time cozied up in his palatial home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These groundhog burrows are an important part of the ecosystem of the plains, as they keep our clay soils from compacting<\/a>. And other animals move into a burrow when the groundhog moves out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Groundhog Fact: But They Can Climb Trees, Too!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Groundhogs live underground, and their name suggests they stay earthbound. But these chubby creatures can also climb trees, especially if they are on the run from predators. (They can swim, too! But we wouldn’t exactly call them triathletes.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Groundhog Fact: Favorite Foods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

They are mostly herbivorous, enjoying plants like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n