5 Cool Information about Groundhogs for Groundhog Day!

Groundhog Day takes place yearly on February 2! Photograph credit score: Cephas, CC BY-SA 4.0, through Wikimedia Commons.

Yearly on February 2, we have a good time Groundhog Day! Will the groundhog see his shadow this yr? Will there be 6 extra weeks of winter?

Whereas groundhogs might not be essentially the most correct climate predictors, they’re fairly cool animals. Listed here are 5 enjoyable information about groundhogs to have a good time Groundhog Day!

1. Groundhogs are additionally known as whistle pigs.

They acquired this identify as a result of they set free a shrill whistle after they sense hazard. Groundhogs are additionally generally known as woodchucks.

Groundhogs are additionally known as whistle pigs and woodchucks! Photograph by Rabbitti / iStock.com.

2. Groundhog burrows have loos!

Groundhogs are glorious diggers and create complicated underground burrows. Their burrows might be as much as 20 m (66 ft.) lengthy and comprise many tunnels and chambers, together with loos!

This groundhog is peeking out of its burrow. Photograph by arlutz73 / iStock.

3. Groundhogs are true hibernators.

Within the winter, groundhogs go into their burrows and enter a deep sleep. Their coronary heart price slows from 80 beats per minute to five. Their physique temperature drops from 37°C to three°C (99°F to 37°F). That’s barely above freezing!

4. Groundhogs can climb bushes!

Generally they climb bushes to succeed in apples or pawpaws (a sort of fruit).

Sure, groundhogs can climb bushes! Photograph credit score: David Ratledge, CC BY 4.0, through Wikimedia Commons.

5. Groundhogs gorge themselves within the spring and summer season.

To arrange for his or her winter hibernation and construct up a layer of fats, groundhogs eat not less than half a kilogram (1 lb.) of vegetation per day within the spring and summer season! Fortunately, they’ve enamel that by no means cease rising to maintain up with the fixed put on and tear.

Groundhogs eat an enormous quantity of meals to allow them to construct up a layer of fats for the winter. Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, through Wikimedia Commons.

Learn our article about groundhogs for extra cool information about them!