How well do you know groundhogs?
Happy Groundhog Day!Here are some interesting tidbits about groundhogs from Earth Gauge:
Why did the groundhog really leave his den? While Punxsutawney Phil may be famous for his winter weather predictions, the average male groundhog is actually scoping out a mate at this time of year. When a male groundhog wakes up in February, he travels around his two- to three-acre territory visiting females. Scientists believe this may offer a chance for groundhogs to bond before mating season begins. After a few visits, a male groundhog returns to his burrow where he resumes hibernating until March – mating time.
Think that’s interesting? Here are a few more fun groundhog facts:
* Groundhogs are one of the few “true hibernators.” During hibernation, groundhogs' body temperature drops as low as 39 degrees Fahrenheit; they only wake every few weeks to eat a bit of food and eliminate waste.
* Groundhogs lose up to half of their body weight while hibernating between October and March.
* Groundhogs are sometimes called “whistle-pigs” because of the loud warning whistle they give. The animals also bark or squeal when fighting or injured.
Posted by
on 02/02 at 08:16 PM
“they only wake every few weeks to eat a bit of food and eliminate waste”.
That sounds like West Virginians.