Groundhog (Woodchuck)

Wikimedia photo, no author credited (Is that a chipmunk diving away from it?)

Marmota monax

The first wild and actually the first-ever Groundhog I saw was being stalked by a leopard. Yes, you read that correctly. I was working an evening event at Sunset Zoo and Annika, the Amur Leopard, was in her habitat enjoying the evening when we both saw movement along the fence line. It was a Groundhog. He had her FULL attention. She went up to the fence, but the Groundhog was out of her reach. It took a moment for him to realize that danger was very close by and run away.

Other Groundhogs at the Zoo have been less lucky. We’ve had a few wander into the Tiger habitat. They did not wander back out again. I’ve heard that the Cheetah is less motivated, and they have been known to escape. Groundhogs also apparently look like Beavers to the general public. On Wednesday last week, we had three separate guests report that our Beavers had escaped. We don’t have Beavers. The Groundhogs were just extra active that day.

Like Beavers, though, Groundhogs are rodents. More specifically, they are massive ground squirrels, although they have a short tail. They have strong jaws and ever-growing teeth, which they use to munch plants, fruits, and vegetables like my favorite internet Groundhog, Chunk. They will also eat insects, eggs, and other small animals when they have the chance.

I was shocked to learn that Groundhogs can climb trees and are also excellent swimmers. They are crepuscular, being active at dawn and dusk, but like our Beaver-impersonators, can also be out during the day. 

The most popular Groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil, who can predict how much more winter there will be each year on February 2. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring will be early. 
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I love these chonky rodents and hope they can keep clear of the Leopard habitat.

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