What Woodchucks Look Like
The woodchuck, also called a groundhog, is a voracious vegetarian. Burrows can go down as deep as 5 feet and extend over 60 feet long. In the process, the woodchuck can move a third of a ton of ground to build the burrow. His forepaws dig and the hind feet kick out the loose soil. In light, sandy soil this burrower can be out of sight in minutes. The eyes, ears, and nose is placed on top of its head to better see and hear enemies coming from above. The woodchuck will scamper up trees to avoid predators or to pick apples for an afternoon of dining. It hibernates in a grass-lined nest from October to February, when the males emerge to find a mate. This critter can weigh up to 13 pounds. There are usually more than one entry hole with a large mound of soil opposite the way the hole was dug. The hole can be dug in one night. If the current occupant is removed, a new hog will occupy the hole if he or she finds the burrow. A widespread pest, it is found from the Atlantic to the Great Plains and from northern Alabama up into parts of Alaska. Woodchucks emerge from their winter dens in March and can be a problem in the yard until fall.
Plants Vulnerable to Woodchuck
Woodchucks feast on carrots, peas, beans, sweet corn, all the cabbage family, alfalfa, grass, flowers, weeds and, believe us, much more. This critter may chew the bark on your favorite fruit tree trunk and lower branches.