Woodchuck Facts & Worksheets

The woodchuck, also known as a groundhog (Marmota monax), is a rodent in the Sciuridae family that belongs to the marmot group of large ground squirrels.

See the fact file below for more information on the Woodchuck, or you can download our 27-page Woodchuck worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

CHARACTERISTICS

• A woodchuck is a giant, stout rodent with thick, long fur. It has a face resembling a squirrel, with big, black eyes that are inquisitive. 
• Woodchucks have tiny, powerful legs made for digging. Woodchucks are distinguished by their huge claws and big, bushy tails.
• To stop their teeth from growing, they must grind down their large front incisors when chewing. Typically, this rodent is around two feet tall. It can have a 10-inch tail. 
• The average woodchuck weighs 13 to 17 pounds, comparable to the weight of a small dog or a large domestic cat.

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION

• The first scientific name of the woodchuck, Marmota, comes from the Latin word that means “marmot” and monax, which means “the digger.”

HABITAT

• They populate farms, fields, pastures, gardens, and hedgerows. Because they are constantly digging, woodchucks contribute to the preservation of healthy soil conditions in woodland areas.
• They are rodents that burrow. They create enormous burrows and underground dwellings where they store food, protect themselves from predators, and raise their pups. These complex settlements can get pretty big. Burrows as long as 66 feet have been measured.

BEHAVIOR

• Woodchucks have sophisticated social relationships and are clever creatures. They develop strong relationships with their pups, and they whistle to alert one another to potential predators.
• Despite their large size, they have outstanding swimming, climbing, and running skills. They can reportedly travel at a top speed of approximately 10 mph.
• They have an advantage over their predators because of their abilities. Woodchucks frequently stand on their hind legs to scan their surroundings because they are on high alert for predators. When they sense danger, they whistle to one another, earning them the nickname “whistlepig.”
• During the day, woodchucks are active. They usually feed in the early morning and late afternoon and spend the rest of the day sleeping or basking in the sun.
• In winter, they go into hibernation when their bodies undergo a significant slowdown. Their breath slows from 80 to 5 beats per minute. Their respiration rate drops from 16 to 2 breaths per minute. Their body temperature lowers from 99 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Early in February, they emerge from their burrows. An emerging woodchuck will leave its burrow if it believes winter is over. It will return to its burrow if it decides that it is still too cold to go foraging.

DIET

• Although woodchucks are omnivores, the majority of their food is vegetarian.
• Their diet includes grass, plants, flowers, fruits, tree bark, and vegetables are what they eat most frequently. Alfalfa, clover, buttercups, raspberries, sheep sorrel, lettuce, beans, and dandelions are a few of their favorite foods. They occasionally eat grasshoppers, snails, and grubs.
• They are hearty eaters and consume a lot of food throughout the spring, summer, and fall. 
• To survive three months of hibernation, they do this to accumulate fat reserves. They retreat to their burrows and spend the winter hibernating.

PREDATORS AND THREATS

• The woodchuck is at risk from large carnivores like coyotes, badgers, bobcats, and foxes. Their pups may occasionally be eaten by raptors and small animals.
• They have means of self-defense. They will fight without holding back when threatened since their teeth and claws are extremely sharp.
• Most animals can’t follow them underground, so retreating into their burrows is a wise defensive move.
• Humans bring further danger. They are frequently hunting woodchucks legally for both their flesh and fur.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFE CYCLE

• During February, a male comes out of hibernation and starts seeking a female. He enters the female’s burrow and mates with her.
• Females typically give birth to two to six pups after a gestation period of about 32 days.
• Baby woodchucks are born blind and hairless and are fed by their mother for the first six weeks. They can hunt and eat on their own at three months old. Most pups move out to create their burrows after about a year.
• Although woodchucks are not monogamous, they occasionally gather in family groups to hunt for food. In the wild, their average lifespan is six years. They can live up to 14 years in captivity.

POPULATION

• Woodchucks are native to the United States and Canada. Their estimated population is over 200 million.
• Woodchuck populations are increasing and spreading their range further west in Kansas.

SIGNIFICANCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT

• Even though woodchucks may not seem beneficial to people, they have a unique identity and role in the environment and should be accepted and respected.
• They are a source of food for hawks, eagles, badgers, foxes, coyotes, and weasels. Amphibians, reptiles, small rodents, and even larger creatures like foxes find shelter in their burrows.
• Aside from providing food for predators and helping us get rid of unwanted extra vegetables, woodchucks also provide soil aeration. They move a substantial amount of soil when digging their burrows, helping to mix organic matter into the soil.

COMMON PROBLEMS

• The woodchuck’s burrow systems are viewed as a concern on agricultural land because farm machinery can damage a mound when it runs over one. And many horse owners worry that their animals will trip over woodchuck holes in paddocks and be hurt.
• It is not believed that woodchucks are a substantial source of any infectious disease that may be passed on to humans. However, they are susceptible to rabies, and once it has fully taken possession of them, they may become aggressive. This is why unprovoked assaults by woodchucks must be taken extremely seriously as possible rabies exposures.

HISTORY OF GROUNDHOG DAY

• February 2 is Woodchuck (Groundhog) Day, a widely observed tradition in North America. Folklore claims that if the woodchuck sees its shadow, it will become frightened and run back to its burrow. That means that there will be another six weeks of winter. 
• The origins of Woodchuck Day can be traced to the early Christian celebration of Candlemas, during which clerics would bless and distribute winter-related candles. The candles stood for how lengthy and chilly winter would be.

IMPORTANT DATES

• In 1887, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, a club of groundhog hunters, claimed that Phil the Punxsutawney groundhog was the only authentic weather-forecasting groundhog in the United States.
• In 1993, Groundhog Day referred to something repeatedly occurring, thanks to the Bill Murray film Groundhog Day. Thousands of people still gather on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney on February 2 to see Phil make his forecast.

Woodchuck Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Woodchuck across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Woodchuck, which is also known as a groundhog, a rodent belonging to the marmot group of large ground squirrels.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

• Woodchuck Facts 
• Dig to Sleep
• Me, Myself, and I
• Word Chain
• Good Food
• Tongue Twister
• Temperature Check
• Video Analysis
• 3Ss
• Compass Points
• Write a Post

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a woodchuck?

A woodchuck, also known as a groundhog, is a rodent that is native to North America.

What do woodchucks eat?

Woodchucks are herbivores, and their diet includes a wide range of plants such as clover, grasses, and vegetables.

Where do woodchucks live?

Woodchucks are found throughout the eastern United States and Canada, and they typically live in wooded areas or near fields.

How do woodchucks hibernate?

Woodchucks hibernate for about 6 to 8 months a year, typically from October through April, during which time their body temperature, heart rate, and metabolism slow significantly.

Are woodchucks dangerous?

Woodchucks are generally not considered dangerous, but they can be a nuisance to gardeners and farmers as they can cause damage to crops. They are also known to carry diseases such as rabies.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

<a href="https://kidskonnect.com/animals/woodchuck/">Woodchuck Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com</a> - KidsKonnect, January 17, 2023

Link will appear as Woodchuck Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 17, 2023