Groundhog: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Small Mammals · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. Groundhogs look chunky, but they swim well, and now and then they climb trees to escape a predator or look around.
2. When alarmed, a groundhog gives a high, sharp whistle to warn the others. That is why it is nicknamed 'whistle-pig'.
3. In hibernation a groundhog's heart slows to 4-10 beats per minute, and it breathes just once every six minutes.
4. Groundhogs fatten up to their top weight before winter. By February, a hibernating groundhog may have burned off up to half its weight.
5. A groundhog burrow usually has two to five entrances. Empty old burrows become homes for cottontail rabbits, raccoons, foxes and river otters.

The quiz

1. What do groundhogs sometimes do to escape predators?

• Fly short distances
• Climb trees (correct)
• Burrow into ice
• Play dead

They sometimes climb trees when escaping predators.

2. Which nickname comes from the groundhog's alarm call?

• Whistle-pig (correct)
• Chirp-chuck
• Bark-bear
• Squeak-hog

Its high-pitched whistle gave it the name whistle-pig.

3. How often does a hibernating groundhog breathe?

• Once every six seconds
• Once a second
• Once every six hours
• Once every six minutes (correct)

It breathes just once every six minutes.

4. How much weight can a hibernating groundhog lose by February?

• A tenth
• A quarter
• As much as half (correct)
• Almost none

By February, it may have burned off up to half its weight.

5. Which animals use abandoned groundhog burrows?

• Monkeys and parrots
• Cottontails, raccoons and foxes (correct)
• Only other groundhogs
• Penguins and seals

Empty old burrows become homes for cottontail rabbits, raccoons, foxes and river otters.

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