Range

North America is the native home of the woodchuck. Here they can be found in Canada and the United States.

Their range extends from Alaska in the north down through Canada to the east coast and south to northern Idaho.

Habitat

Woodchucks make their home primarily on woodland edges along with woodland fields and meadows.

Humans have helped to increase their range through creating more woodland edge habitat. They will also make use of pasture, fields and orchards as their habitat.

They will create a burrow which contains multiple chambers each with a specific purpose. Adjacent to the entrance will be a mound of dirt which they use to survey their territory and sun-bake. Along with this main entrance there may be five other entrances.

When they abandon these burrows they will be used by skunks, foxes, weasels, opossums or rabbits.

Reproduction

Breeding takes place from March to mid-April soon after the emerge from hibernation. Males may mate with multiple females during the breeding season.

After a 31-32 day gestation period the female gives birth to between 2 and 6 young. She will give birth in a den which is part of their extensive burrow system. At birth they are blind with their eyes opening at 26 days old.

After two months the female will kick the young out of the burrow.

Females provide all of the parental care with no involvement from the father. While the mother is away the pups are protected in the den.

Sexual maturity is reached at one year old.

Behavior

For most of the year they are solitary only coming together to mate.

They are active during the day when they will emerge to feed.

During winter this species will enter hibernation. Starting in summer they will build up a fat reserve which allows them to sleep for most of winter. While hibernating their heartbeat drops from 100 beats per minute down as low as 5 beats per minute.

Their vocalizations include a shrill alarm call which has led to the nickname whistle pig.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the woodchuck include foxes, wolves, cougars, black bears, lynx, bobcats, snakes, coyotes, racoons, hawks and dogs.

This species has benefited from the reduction in numbers of their main predators the wolf and cougar.

In parts of their range they are persecuted by farmers and gardeners as they will eat flowers, fruits and other crops along with burrowing under buildings.

Quick facts

Woodchucks are known by a number of alternative names including the groundhog or whistle pig - a reference to their shrill call.

Each year Americans celebrate groundhog day. Legend says that if the groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees his or her shadow there will be six more weeks of winter but if they don't spring is on its way.