Groundhogs Are More Than Just Talented Prognosticators

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are unique creatures that many people do not know much about other than their popularity during the start of February. Groundhogs, as you may know, are large rodents, but you may not have known that groundhogs are the largest members of the squirrel family.

Groundhogs are known for their long sharp claws, which they use to dig large and intricate tunnels underground. The groundhog also has extremely sharp teeth, and during the warmer months a groundhog’s incisors grow about a sixteenth of an inch. This rapid tooth growth is necessary in order for the groundhog to keep up with its frantic and nearly constant eating habits. A groundhog can eat about a pound of food per sitting.

Many people are surprised to learn that groundhogs cannot be found dwelling anywhere in the world except for North America. Groundhogs can be found anywhere between northern Canada and the southern United States. And as for the annual weather predictions, analysts say that Punxsutawney Phil is only correct about the weather thirty nine percent of the time. So while groundhogs are interesting creatures, they don’t seem to have any talent as meteorologists.

Are hedgehogs and groundhogs similar? Do they belong to the same family?