The Life of Animals | Groundhog | The higher is the marmot Sciuridae in its geographical area, usually 40-65 cm (16-26 inches) long (including 15 cm (6 inches) from the tail) and weighing 2 to 4 kg (4-9 lb). In regions with less natural predators and large amounts of alfalfa, groundhogs can grow to 80 cm (30 inches) and 14 kg (31 lbs). Groundhogs are well adapted for digging, with short limbs, yet powerful curved claws thick. Adapted to the temperate habitat, groundhogs are covered with two layers of fur: a dense gray long coat and a bunch of guard hairs that gives the groundhog its distinctive "frozen".
In regions with less natural predators and large amounts of alfalfa, groundhogs can grow to 80 cm (30 inches) and 14 kg (31 lbs). Groundhogs are well adapted for digging, with short limbs, yet powerful curved claws thick. Adapted to the temperate habitat, groundhogs are covered with two layers of fur: a dense gray long coat and a bunch of guard hairs that gives the groundhog its distinctive "frozen".
Groundhogs are well adapted for digging, with short limbs, yet powerful curved claws thick. Groundhogs are excellent burrowers, with burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating. The average groundhog has been estimated to move approximately 1 m3 (35 cubic feet) or 320 kg (710 lb) ground by digging a burrow. Although groundhogs are the most solitary of the marmots, several individuals may occupy the same burrow. Groundhog burrows usually have 2-5 inputs, providing groundhogs principal means of escape from predators. Groundhogs are one of the few species that enter into true hibernation, and often build a "winter burrow" for this purpose separate.
Groundhogs are most of the time during the day. Groundhogs may squeal when fighting, seriously injured or captured by the enemy. Others sounds groundhogs may make are low barks and a sound produced by the grinding of teeth when groundhogs are frightened, the hairs of the tail support, giving the tail looks like a hair brush The breeding season runs from early March to mid or late April, after hibernation. Litter is produced annually, usually containing 5:58-blind, hairless and helpless young. Marmot young are weaned and ready to seek their own burrow 5-6 weeks of age. The groundhog prefers open country and the edges of forests, and rarely far from a burrow entrance.
Groundhogs are often hunted for sport, which tends to control their numbers. Marmots bred in captivity can be socialized relatively easily, but their aggressive nature can pose problems. Doug Schwartz, a zookeeper and groundhog trainer Staten Island Zoo, was quoted as saying. United States and Canada, the annual Groundhog Day gave the recognition and popularity of the marmot, like in the movie of the same name. The best known of these groundhogs are Wiarton Willie and Punxsutawney Phil, well maintained, as part of celebrations of Groundhog Day in Wiarton, Ontario and Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, respectively. A marmot famous south, General Beauregard Lee, is based on the Yellow River Game Ranch outside Atlanta, Georgia.
Marmots are used in medical research on liver cancer induced hepatitis B. Marmot burrows have been known to be at least one archaeological site, the site Ufferman in the state of Ohio, United States Although archaeologists have excavated the Ufferman site, many objects were found through activities local marmots.
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