Some Groundhog facts and links
GROUNDHOG, or WHISTLE-PIG (Marmota monax), stout-bodied marmot of the family Sciuridae (order
Rodentia). Woodchucks are black-footed, reddish-brown or brown animals, ranging from 42 to
51 cm (17 to 20 inches) in length, with 10- to 15-centimetre (4- to 6-inch) tails. They
weigh between 2 and 6 kg (4 and 14 pounds). Found from the eastern and central United
States northward across Canada and into Alaska, woodchucks are animals of open fields and
woodland edges, where they feed mainly on low green vegetation. They are mainly
terrestrial but are good swimmers and climbers. They feed heavily in summer, storing fat
to see them through their winter hibernation. They are also excellent diggers,
constructing a burrow with a main entrance and an escape tunnel. Woodchucks are solitary
except during the spring, when litters of four to five young are born. The young stay with
the mother for about two months.
Other Links
Free Ground Hog Day Ecards at www.123greetings.com/events/groundhogday/
Legend of Groundhog's Day
On Groundhog’s Day, we follow legend
Our eyes look to the ground
For a sleepy little woodchuck
In Punxsutawney town.
If Phil, the brown haired critter
Comes out into the light
And quickly sees his shadow
He’ll bounce back out of sight.
He’ll slip into his burrow
For spring is far away
Six more weeks of winter
The price that we will pay.
But should the day be cloudy
Ole Phil will wander out
With spring around the corner
He’ll spread the news about.
Tis fun to follow legend
It brightens up our day
To think the bliss of springtime
Is not that far away.
Author/Written By:
Marilyn Ferguson
© 2004