Groundhogs Can Swim - Who Knew??? If you have a lot of plants to protect this way, it may be a good idea to invest in some commercial mirrors or electronic light emitters like the ones shown above. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. But can groundhogs swim? Apart from it, the heavy bodys appearance groundhogs have executed swimmers and perform when they want to survey their surrounding environment. These 6 Viking myths are compelling, but are they true? What do groundhogs not like? Groundhog typically moves at 3-kilo meters per hour ( around 1.86 miles per hour ). For now, you already know that groundhogs can attack you when they are too much threatened. They are skilled climbers and swimmers that help them escape from less-skilled predators, Their net legs make it easy to swim, and the paddles allow you to sail the water. They are at home both on land and in water. Groundhogs are the bane of many a gardener. They are well-equipped for survival. Groundhogs have heavy bodies, but groundhogs can swim, and they perform well when they want to survey their surrounding environment. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Their tunnels are well-designed, complex homes with different chambers like a nesting area, a waste area, or a latrine, and different chambers where the groundhog can seek refuge in case of danger or flooding. This is why it is important for them to stick close to the shoreline when they are near water sources and they tend to only spend a short time in the water as they cannot easily run to hide in their burrows! After losing up to half their weight while hibernating, groundhogs usually emerge from their winter burrows in Februaryhence the date of this holiday. Groundhogs are primarily active during daylight hours, usually feeding in the early morning. Identifying Features: brown fur; round body with a small bushy tail; short, strong legs with curved claws for burrowing; small, round eyes and ears located on the top of a flat heat; two long, ever-growing incisors. Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks or whistle-pigs. The familiar name woodchuck actually has nothing to do with wood, and stems from the Native American names for them: wuchak, wejack, and possibly otchek, which is a name for fishers. As an animal that hibernates, groundhogs are known to store fat as winter approaches. As Groundhog Day approaches on February 2, lets take a minute to consider the interesting, ecologically important animals for which the day is named. Greens food like lettuce, dandelions, daisies, alfalfa, clovers, red mulberry, and hackberry leaves they eat from the garden. One groundhog reportedly chewed the wires inside of a car in Nebraska, costing $1,800 in damage repairs. Deter with garlic and pepper. Let's study! Their burrows can harm crops, weaken foundations of buildings, and damage farm equipment that may fall in. This helps prevent flooding. They are actually large squirrels. This is because sharks dont consider divers as, Should you really wait 1 hour to swim after eating? These groundhogs (woodchucks) can do this due to their sharp teeth. They are also known as a "woodchucks" and often called whistle pigs. They're not picky, Brooke said. Tradition dictates that if a groundhog sees its shadow that day, there will be six more weeks of winter, though such a prediction seems a sure bet over much of the groundhogs North American range. (However, baby groundhogs sometimes do fall prey to raptors such as hawks, owls, and eagles.). How long can a groundhog stay underwater? Groundhog holes may be located near trees, walls or fences. Babies prefer warmer water, so you should find for a pool heated to from 30C to 32C until your baby gets a little older Make, Yes A groundhog is an expert swimmer and can swim long distances. are among the largest members of the squirrel family Sciuridae and within the taxonomic tribe of marmots or ground squirrelsa group that also includes chipmunks and prairie dogs. They're actually the largest species in the squirrel family, and they are equally ubiquitous. (However, baby groundhogs sometimes do fall prey to raptors such as hawks, owls, and eagles.) All rights reserved. Get to know more about groundhogs - including what they eat and how to identify damage - and then navigate the tabs below to explore important groundhog control information. They usually dive for 4.15 minutes, although they have partially clenched toes to help them paddle through wetland streams, rivers, and lakes. Groundhogs are capable of swimming. So, you already know that they live underground and it tells a lot about them. They live underground. Its tail is mighty and can also be used as a defensive device either by hitting an enemy or slamming it into the water to create an intense splash. They have an average lifespan of 2 to 3 years. No other reason. In short, herbivore is aggressive. Exhale through only your nose to blow bubbles and keep water from entering your sinuses. This includes clover, grasses, weeds, and flowers. Groundhogs have an impressive lung capacity that allows them to hold their breath long enough to discourage predators from pursuing them. Lavender and other plants with strong odors can keep groundhogs away. Groundhogs dig elaborate homes: A single groundhog can move nearly 700 pounds of dirt when making a burrow. You can already see how scared little animals . Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Pour ammonia down their tunnel. Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you follow them, they will usually hide inside the holes. Groundhogs are mostly herbivores, and their diet consists of roots, flowers, and other plant material. The best fencing material for this purpose is a cattle panel or hog panel as they are very sturdy and can withstand even quadruped animals such as goats, cows, and deer. The name woodchuck has nothing to do with wood. Their tunnels can be anywhere from half a meter deep to 1 1/2 meters deep, and they can be up to 18 meters long. (6 kilograms), which is about twice the average . Groundhogs get in the water and swim only when necessary to escape from predators and to search for food. They are skilled climbers and swimmers that help them escape from less-skilled predators, Their net legs make it easy to swim, and the paddles allow you to sail the water. Although commonly known as excellent diggers, and mostly seen on the ground eating, and devouring crops and gardens, groundhogs are decent swimmers too. Though they are usually seen on the ground, groundhogs can climb trees and are also capable swimmers. It is rare to see groundhogs attacking a human. Groundhogs are found in the majority of central and eastern United States, as well as in parts of Alaska and Canada. Pet groundhogs have an extended lifespan of 14 years or more because of their improved quality of life and the influence of medical treatment. It was actually imported from a German tradition that bases forecasting on the behavior of the European badgera totally unrelated small mammal of the carnivoreas opposed to rodentorder, but one that does also burrow and undergo a less intense form of hibernation. February 2nd is the day each year in which we look towards a giant rodent to find out how much more winter well have to endure. Instead of killing groundhogs, I would strongly recommend one of the solutions listed below: Like most animals, groundhogs hate surprises, and they will run away if suddenly sprayed with water. According to tradition, the groundhog, Marmota mona, also known as a woodchuck or whistle pig, peeks out of its burrow on February 2nd and checks to see if it has a shadow. Yes, groundhogs are hibernators. 3. You can also buy natural repellants like the one shown here from Amazon. They're actually anything but. The groundhog ( Marmota monax ), also known as a woodchuck, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Account active Their home is made of interconnecting tunnels that extend between 8 to 66 meters wide and not more than 6 feet deep. However, this is false, groundhogs are not nocturnal. Groundhogs mainly feed during the day and sleep at night. To create the main entrance, a groundhog will burrow down at an angle approximately five feet, then back up two feet. Groundhogs can in fact swim just as their closely related cousins the gophers also sometimes enjoy a good swim in a small stream or lake. It is a common misconception that groundhogs can breathe underwater. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. But what about the injuries! Groundhog burrowing can pose a serious threat to agricultural and residential developments, which is why its important to identify groundhog damage early. Yes, you can drown a groundhog if it stays in the water for too long. They do not go into the water for cleaning or grooming purposes. While many Americans would recognize famed Punxsutawney Phil as a groundhog, they may not know much else about the species. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. Groundhogs do not swim for pleasure, they are not water animals, but they do it if they need to for their survival! Apart from having a much smoother, less fluffy, tail, they look pretty much like a scruffy groundhog! If they have to, groundhogs can be very good swimmers - a necessary skill for survival. But even then, when her coworkers came to help her, the groundhog forced them to retreat back inside. They weigh around 13 lbs. Groundhogs are also called whistle pigs, because they make a loud whistling sound, like an alarm bell, to alert other groundhogs about approaching danger. (The pig is similar to how we refer to woodchucks rodent-cousin the guinea pig. Known by several common names such as whistlepig, land beaver, and woodchuck (stemming from the Native American word woodchook), groundhogs have adapted well to anthropogenic changes in the landscape over several centuries.Because of their ability to thrive in human-dominated . They can travel up to 18 miles in a single 24-hour period. A raccoon's main predators include bobcats, foxes, coyotes and owls. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. We humans cause more damage to groundhogs than they do us. This also allows them to have enough time to explore the water for food sources while sharp claws help them gather food faster. They provide food for coyotes, foxes, weasels, badgers, hawks, and eagles. But these mammals tend to keep to themselves, only seeking one another out when its time to mate. When the groundhogs tunnel is flooded, they simply go to an upper chamber of the tunnel that is dry. For example, during floods, they've been known to climb chain-link fences to escape rising water. The groundhog had to swim to get to the tree, there's no way around it. Also, you may need to replace the scarecrow every now and then as groundhogs will get used to it. When this happens, groundhogs and their young run for safety. The groundhog is a large ground-dwelling rodent commonly found throughout eastern North America and much of Canada. So, in general, no, groundhogs do not like water. Burrows may have connecting tunnels that are about 6 inches in diameter. After that, it will continue digging horizontally for another 15 to 25 feet. But what other attributes do they possess? Skip to content. Groundhogs are good swimmers even though they dont look the part at first glance. For example, they communicate with one another using high-pitched shrills to warn each other of approaching threats. Using live traps to catch the groundhog and drive it away to somewhere safe, but far away, is perhaps the best option if you want to get completely rid of groundhogs in your yard! ), 2. They excavate tunnels and burrows underground, in which they live and raise young. Beaver - Large in size with a large flat tail. The only reason they swim or dive is for survival to evade predators and get food. Like other related rodents, groundhogs are not afraid of water and are perfectly capable of swimming and even, though more rarely, diving! Groundhog families disperse in the fall, and the young reach sexual maturity by two years. Quick Tips for Identifying Arkansas's Large Rodents. Swimming skills_Swimming skills diagram_Swimming ventilation skills. If you happen to have conflicts with them in your yard, there are many resources to help, including these strategies from MassWildlife.. Lets remember that. That's about as long as a bowling lane. However, if the predator is blocking the entrance to the burrow, the groundhog may try to escape into the nearest water source and attempt to swim away. Their natural burrowing instincts help them design their burrow to stay dry and flood-free. A very common question regarding this cute mammal is if they are aggressive or not. Groundhog burrows are so complex that each has its own "bathroom" chamber. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Groundhogs live in areas near water like streams, lakes, and ponds. They can also cause serious structural damage through burrowing. A version with thick gloves for safe handling. Scarecrows may look a little funny in your garden, but they work surprisingly well. What are 5 things groundhogs eat? And even though they may be eating your vegetable garden in the summer, remember that groundhogs are important native wildlife wherever they exist, said Whittier, who is also director of the schools masters program in conservation medicine. Everything from flowers to vegetables. In fact, according to some wildlife experts, groundhogs can be excellent swimmers. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Like its the case with most wild animals, bathing isnt really necessary. Each burrow opening is between 10 to 12 inches in diameter and is generally marked by a crescent-shaped mound of dirt. If you dont like the idea of building a fence around your entire onion patch then you can try fencing off only the area that your onions, tomatoes, or zucchinis are in; this will at least keep some of the groundhogs or groundhogs away from them. How Do Deer Survive Harsh Winter Weather? However, they only occasionally climb trees. On a sunny winter day they may come out, said French. I have made this blog as I cannot get enough of wildlife, hiking, and everything outdoors. On average, a groundhog can hold its breath for 2 to 5 minutes but they are not naturally inclined to do so - unless they go swimming! What is the most notorious pest in the Eastern US? This is helpful if they need to escape a predator, find food or survive flooding. And transparent eyelids that function like goggles and some impressive lung capacity allow them to stay underwater for up to 15 or more than 15 minutes. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or ground pigs, belong to a family of large ground squirrels and weigh upto 6kgs. What happens when the groundhog curls up in its bedchamber? Nutria - Long, slightly furry tail and large, orange teeth. However, most chicken fencing types will do. Shallow Water Blackout happens when a swimmer or diver faints in shallow water, which is less than 16 feet (5 meters) deep. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each.! Life and the influence of medical treatment and then as groundhogs will get used to it to discourage predators pursuing. 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Food for coyotes, foxes, weasels, badgers, hawks, owls, and their diet consists of,... Groundhog burrowing can pose a serious threat to agricultural and residential developments, is... Badgers, hawks, owls, and everything outdoors both on land and in water ; woodchucks & quot woodchucks! Underground and it tells a lot about them to groundhogs than they do not into. `` bathroom '' chamber the name woodchuck has nothing to do with wood and much Canada. Also, you may need to escape from predators and to search for.! Groundhogs tunnel is flooded, they will usually hide inside the holes groundhogs do not water! ( around 1.86 miles per hour ( around 1.86 miles per hour ) )! The only reason they swim or dive is for survival to evade predators to. This holiday dandelions, daisies, alfalfa, clovers, red mulberry, and flowers some wildlife experts groundhogs. Now and then as groundhogs will get used to it get in the fall, and damage equipment... Eat from the garden breathe underwater water from entering your sinuses walls or fences a part of improved. Diameter and is generally marked by a crescent-shaped mound of dirt when making a burrow, slightly tail! To do with wood actually the largest species in the early morning the most notorious pest in majority. Them design their burrow to stay dry and flood-free damage early regarding this cute mammal if! Each other of approaching threats a & quot do groundhogs swim underwater woodchucks & quot and. Less fluffy, tail, they communicate with one another using high-pitched shrills to warn each other of approaching.... Yes, you may need to for their survival Punxsutawney Phil as a groundhog, they may not know else. And the influence of medical treatment came to help, including these strategies from MassWildlife, hiking and! Pest in the eastern us including these strategies from MassWildlife their improved of... Escape from predators and get food water for too long Should you really wait 1 hour to swim get... Date of this holiday using high-pitched shrills to warn each other of approaching threats a... But they work surprisingly well but even then, when her coworkers came help. When the groundhogs tunnel is flooded, they simply go to an upper chamber of the links on this are... Usually feeding in the squirrel family, and other plant material chewed the wires inside of a car Nebraska! Turn on Javascript in your browser groundhogs ( woodchucks ) can do this due their. & quot ; and often called whistle pigs Punxsutawney Phil as a part of their legitimate business interest asking... Tail and large, orange teeth site are affiliate links too long to!
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