What Time is it in Nature?

The warm weather has not only brought out green grass and tender young buds but also groundhogs to Prairie Ridge. 

What is a groundhog? Groundhogs Marmota monax are the largest type of squirrel in the State.  They are often called by other names including: woodchuck, gopher, and whistle pig.  These medium-sized mammals can weigh almost 12-pounds.

Can groundhogs really predict the weather?  Though they may not be the most accurate of meteorologists, groundhogs do spend most of the winter hibernating in their burrows and will re-emerge in the spring.  Talk about dieting… groundhogs can lose up to a third of their body weight during winter hibernation!

What do groundhogs eat? Groundhogs can often be seen during the day grazing on the young grasses, seeds, and buds in open areas near their burrows.  They can also be occasionally spotted in the limbs of trees where they browse on the tender new growth of leaves and twigs.

We are interested in hearing about your spring groundhog sightings.  Please email us the date, time, and city where you have seen a groundhog.

A groundhog grazes in the grass at Prairie Ridge

A goundhog scans the area around its burrow for danger

A groundhog finds an apple that has been left as bait

The groundhog finishes its apple

A groundhog searches for food high in the branches of a tree

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