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The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck, is one of Pennsylvania's most widely distributed mammals. With an average weight of 5-10 pounds, the woodchuck's compact body is supported by short, strong legs which are well adapted for digging burrows.
A groundhog burrow serves as a home for mating, raising young, hibernating, and escaping danger. Their burrows can be identified by a large mound of excavated earth at the main entrance. Groundhogs can commonly be seen feeding in the early morning and evening hours between the months of March and October. Each spring the female groundhog will give birth to a single litter of 2-6 young. They are strictly herbivores and feed on grasses and vegetables.
One of the main complaints about groundhogs is their appetite for flower and vegetable gardens. They also commonly den under patios, sheds, decks, and along foundations. |
