What You May Have Not Have Known About Groundhogs
If you've traveled around the Lake area, you may have seen groundhogs out and about. Although these furry creatures may be cute, they can tear apart your yard in search of food and a safe place to burrow. We see these groundhogs all over the place, but how much do we know about them? Best Pest Control has a few interesting facts you may not have known about groundhogs.
Groundhogs are known as true hibernators, which means they go into a dormant state in which their body temperature and heart rate fall dramatically from late fall until late winter or early spring. True hibernators are the ones that can reduce their body temperatures below 68 degrees. They can also reduce their heart rate down to about five beats per minute. However, it's not a deep sleep that continues all winter long. They'll go into a deep sleep where their body temperature drops for a week, then wake up for three or four days, then go back to sleep. They can do this about 12 to 20 times in a hibernation season.
They're Related To Squirrels
Groundhogs are a type of rodent known as a marmot, which are closely related to squirrels. Groundhogs can be found all over North America. In fact, they're the most widely distributed marmot, some are even found in Alaska
Woodchuck Has Nothing To Do With Wood
Groundhogs have many different names including whistle-pig for their tendency to emit short, high-pitched whistles. They're also known as land beavers, but their most famous nickname is the woodchuck. However, the name woodchuck doesn't have anything to do with wood. It's thought to be taken from the Native American words wejack, woodshaw, or woodchoock.
They're Loners
Unlike their cousins the prairie dogs, groundhogs like to be alone seeking out their own kind only to mate. They're solitary for most of the year, so males need to seek out the females to mate. Even their maternal duty to their young is short. The mother will nurse the young and shortly after they're weaned they tend to go off on their own.
They Fall Into A Deep, Deep Sleep
Unlike their cousins the prairie dogs, groundhogs like to be alone seeking out their own kind only to mate. They're solitary for most of the year, so males need to seek out the females to mate. Even their maternal duty to their young is short. The mother will nurse the young and shortly after they're weaned they tend to go off on their own.
They Fall Into A Deep, Deep Sleep
Groundhogs are known as true hibernators, which means they go into a dormant state in which their body temperature and heart rate fall dramatically from late fall until late winter or early spring. True hibernators are the ones that can reduce their body temperatures below 68 degrees. They can also reduce their heart rate down to about five beats per minute. However, it's not a deep sleep that continues all winter long. They'll go into a deep sleep where their body temperature drops for a week, then wake up for three or four days, then go back to sleep. They can do this about 12 to 20 times in a hibernation season.
Their Homes Are Impressive
A groundhog's burrow can be anywhere from 8 - 66 feet long with multiple exits and a number of chambers. There can be several levels to their burrows as well. They have a burrow for hibernating and then another level that is higher up where they can come out more easily. In some cases, groundhogs have more than one residence and move from one burrow to another. Although these tunnels are impressive, they can do some serious damage to your yard. Luckily, Best Pest Control company at the Lake of the Ozarks can help!
If you're dealing with groundhogs in your yard, Best Pest Control can help! In addition to pest control, we also offer animal trapping services at the Lake of the Ozarks. To learn more about our services, call us at 573-348-1600.
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573-348-1600 in Osage Beach
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