During our time in Williamsburg, Grayden and I stayed in a condo next to a golf course. We had a patio that we enjoyed in the afternoons after touring around the colonial area. The weather was so lovely and warm we would enjoy a snack and a tea or coffee while relaxing.
The view just beyond the golf course was a lovely habitat for birds and I'm sure critters that we didn't see. What we did see on most all of the days there was a groundhog! I know--Did you see the Caddyshack movie about a groundhog on a golf course?
Well here is our friend the groundhog! There was a line of oak trees and tons of acorns under them! After reading about groundhogs I've learned they gorge themselves all summer and stop eating after the first frost before retreating to their underground burrow until spring.
It was fun to watch this fellow getting his fill. Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks and whistle pigs. The term woodchuck was derived from the Algonquian name "wuchak", "wejak", "otchek." These terms mean fishers. The term whistle pigs is used in Appalachia. It comes from the fact that they use a high pitch whistle sound to warn other groundhogs of danger nearby.
Groundhogs are actually members of the same family as squirrels. These marmots are in the same family as chipmunks and prairie dogs. Groundhogs can weigh up to 15 pounds.
We guess that our little friend weighed near that weight. Their burrows are often used by other animals. Foxes, skunks, opossums, rabbits, and raccoons make themselves at home in their burrows if given the opportunity.
Groundhogs are mainly herbivores but have been known to eat insects and grubs.
Groundhogs are truly among a small group of true hibernators. Our Groundhog Day started because of a German tradition of watching the badger emerge in spring, but the badger is totally unrelated to the groundhog.
We enjoyed our daily viewing of this little fellow. Thank you for taking a look at him.
Martha Ellen! Did I read that you were enjoying coffee? Pass me the smelling salts quick. I don't believe that my friend the teapot has decamped to the dark side of coffee. What an entertaining little fellow your Groundhog is. Yes, I remember the film Caddyshack. It was quite funny. Thanks for sharing him. xoxo
ReplyDeleteNever fear, Deb, I have not decamped to the dark side of coffee!! My better half enjoys it immensely, not that he wouldn't have an occasional sip from my teacup, but definitely not the other way around!! You can put the smelling salts away, my friend. xoxo
DeleteHe is nice and fat! I had a battle with an entire family of woodchucks some summers ago. They were doing a number on my postage stamp lawn and I was worried about wrenching my ankles. Not to mention all the tender plants they were munching on. My poor son was in the relocation business for a couple of weeks until we got the situation under control.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, Vee, I'm sure you don't have warm fuzzies for groundhogs. A whole family setting up housekeeping on your lawn must have been interesting. Thank goodness the No Vacancy sign is now up!
DeleteAwww . . . i am sure that he was quite entertaining! Bekah and I think groundhogs are adorable, but we keep our comments to ourselves when Ron is around because he sees them as pests. Our younger girls had several pet guinea pigs and they, too, had a high-pitched whistle. Theirs did not always signal danger. Sometimes it signaled excitement. When I came upstairs to go to bed, I would always bring them a treat (some lettuce or a piece of carrot), so they started squealing as soon as the first step creaked! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your little friend with us!
I think ground hogs are adorable too, Cheryl. Some folks have had problems with them as Vee said. Sounds like your guinea pig was smart. Our children and grandchildren have had guinea pigs as well. One time our children's guinea pig (Speedy) escaped while they were playing with him. We had a hard time getting him, but I'll never forget Grayden sweet talking him out of the kitchen!
DeleteCute.
ReplyDeleteHe was very cute!
DeleteI never knew groundhogs and woodchucks were the same thing! Thanks for that one! He's a cutie. I love them -- except for the one that was digging under my house for a burrow a few years ago!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you had a problem, Jeanie. I didn't realize that groundhogs and woodchucks were the same until a few years ago!
DeleteI've only ever heard of groundhogs in the Bill Murray film, I wasn't sure they were real. You learn something new in ever post.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Amalia, they are real and so cute! I love learning new things. xo
DeleteOh Martha Ellen, the groundhog looks very much like the squirrel, and as you know, I'm not very fond of them. I see them on my lawn everyday, but I do feel bad for them in the Winter as they are nervously digging and storing their nuts for a cold Winter. That must have been an amusing sight to see the groundhog on your trip. I didn't know they were also known as the woodchuck. I enjoyed reading a little about them, thank you. You took some nice pictures of this fellow.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Sheri, I hope you haven't had a bad encounter with a squirrel. They really are afraid of humans as most small mammals are and run away when near us. We both enjoyed watching this fellow eat and eat and eat the acorns! It's fun to learn about the amazing world of small animals. I'm glad you enjoyed, my friend.
DeleteHe's adorable Martha Ellen. We have them around here though I haven't seen one that close by. I never knew they are also called whistle pigs, or that their name came from the Algonquian name. Fun to learn this, thank you :)
ReplyDeleteDenise, we looked out for this little cutie everyday. He had no idea we tuned in for his show as he crunched away at his acorn meals. It was fun to me to learn more about groundhogs after observing him during our trip. I'm happy that you enjoyed learning about him as well.
DeleteAww lovely photographs of the Groundhog :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. All the best to you as well!
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