Groundhogs

No shadows here.

The groundhog (Marmota monax), also commonly known as a woodchuck or whistle-pig, is a large burrowing rodent belonging to the group of ground squirrels known as marmots. In New Hampshire, groundhogs are a common nuisance for gardeners, flower growers, and others in the agricultural sector. Their extensive burrowing has also been known to create conflict for residential septic systems/leech fields, sheds and other outbuilding structures, and undermine the framework of poured concrete stairs and walkways. Their burrows are easily identifiable by the mass of excavated dirt/sand that amasses at the entrance.

Monadnock Pest & Wildlife deploys several control tactics for managing groundhog conflict - including exclusion/eviction services to remove woodchucks from a building or structure, as well as trapping and translocation services to completely remove the individual(s) from the property. With well over a decade of woodchuck handling and trapping experience, we’re ready to discuss your personal woodchuck control options.

Appearance:

Groundhogs tend to display light brown to tan, to silver/gray and rust colored accents on their coats. Adults may measure from 16 to 27 inches in length, which includes a stubby yet apparent tail. Weights of adult groundhogs, typically at least, fall between 4.4 and 13 pounds.

Male groundhogs average slightly larger than females and, like all marmots, they are considerably heavier during autumn than when emerging from hibernation in spring.

Groundhogs have four incisor teeth which grow ​1⁄16 inch per week. Like most rodents, constant usage wears their teeth down again by about that much each week Unlike beavers and porcupines, who’s teeth eminate a yellow sheen, the incisors of groundhogs are white to ivory-white.

Habitat & Diet:

Groundhogs are found throughout all of New Hampshire. They prefer open lands and the edges of forest. Woodchucks will construct dens in well-drained soil, and most have summer and winter dens. Human activity via land clearing and agriculture has increased food access and abundance of groundhogs. Burrows are commonly located under sheds, porches, under tree stumps and in hillsides covered in dense vegetation such as black raspberry bushes.

Mostly herbivorous, groundhogs eat primarily wild grasses and other vegetation, including berries and agricultural crops, when available. In early spring, dandelion and clover are important groundhog food items. Some additional foods include buttercup, red and black raspberries, mulberries, wild lettuce, and alfalfa. On occasion, groundhogs have been known to feed on insects, grubs, and small mammals. An adult groundhog can eat more than a pound of vegetation daily.

Breeding & Behavior:

Groundhogs tend to breed by two years of age. Breeding season extends from early March to late April, after hibernation emergence. A mated pair remains in the same den throughout the month long gestation period. As birth of the young approaches in April or May, the male counterpart leaves the den. Groundhog litters typically average 2-6 young. During the early summer, property owners tend to be aware of a groundhog presence as young start to venture from the burrow and accompany their mother on foraging expeditions. By the end of August, the family breaks up and juveniles venture out to burrow on their own before winter.

Males and non-pregnant females tend to be very nomadic, covering a wide range of territory and scattered burrows as they deplete food sources at each location. This makes trapping difficult, as woodchucks may be sighted, and then vacate a property, only to return a few weeks later. Locating a groundhog burrow is paramount to measure success of a trapping program and level of activity.

Groundhogs are diurnal, meaning they are most active dawn and dusk, but may commonly be seen throughout the day.

Groundhogs are well-adapted for digging, with short, powerful limbs and curved, thick claws. Being excellent burrowers, groundhogs will utilize excavated burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating. Burrows are typically comprised of multiple chambers, each with a designated purpose for nesting/rearing young, sleeping, retreat, and defecating waste. Burrows tend to have two openings or holes, with one serving as the main entrance, and the other a “lookout” hole. Average burrow length is between 11 and 15 feet, with some documented examples being much deeper. These burrows act as harborage for other species, such as skunks, foxes, rabbits and opossums - and in New Hampshire, skunks and woodchucks have been documented sharing the same burrows; although it is assumed that this den sharing is tolerated, and not encouraged.

Juvenile groundhogs have been known to excavate a number of holes in a given area preparation of family departure.

Unlike many species of New Hampshire wildlife, groundhogs do hibernate in winter.

Groundhogs are accomplished swimmers and occasionally climb trees when escaping predators or when they want to survey their surroundings. However, they are not commonly found in water or trees.

When alarmed, the groundhog uses a high-pitched whistle to warn the rest of a colony or family unit - hence the nickname “whistle-pig”. They will also click their front teeth in defense when threatened. A nipping action with their front incisors is used as defense when cornered by predators or territorial rivals.

The 1880’s New Hampshire Legislative Woodchuck Committee:

Prior to the groundhog’s profound status as a weather predictor in Pennsylvania, the New Hampshire legislature was waging war on the prolific diggers. Due to their nuisance conflict with farmers, the legislature established the NH Legislative Woodchuck Committee in 1883, in an attempt to eradicate the large rodent from existence.

According to Hon. Charles R. Corning, chairman of the committee, the groundhog was found to be “absolutely destitute of any interesting qualities” and contended that “In some parts of the state it is found necessary to shovel a path through the woodchucks in order to reach the barns”. The report goes on to assert that “It burrows beneath the soil, and then chuckles to see a mowing machine, man and all, slump into one of these holes and disappear.”

As such, an act passed on September 11, 1883, authorized a 10-cent bounty for every “whistlepig” tail presented to a New Hampshire town selectman. It is reported that 122,065 “whistlepig” tails were processed for payment by State Treasurer Solon A. Carter in a 6 month period. The last claim paid out in 1888 saw the end of the bounty - with the state legislature fearing a budget crisis catapulted by a mass of woodchuck tail payouts.

Nuisance characteristics:

While the groundhog still has potential for nuisance conflict with humans, its reputation and presence is far less persecuted today.

Groundhogs may cause conflict with humans in both rural and suburban settings. Woodchuck conflict tends to include:

• Harborage and tunneling under sheds, crawlspaces, porches, decks and other structures.

• Damage to agricultural produce and home gardens.

• Public safety due to their notorious susceptibility to the Rabies Virus.

• Threat to equine and farm equipment from deep burrow holes.

Having trouble with Groundhogs? If you live in southern New Hampshire, we’re ready to assist - contact Monadnock Pest & Wildlife today for a worry-free inspection and estimate to assist with moving your resident woodchucks along!