Woodchucks are members of the marmot family, which includes large ground squirrels. They are known by a number of names, including groundhog, thickwood badger, monax, wood-shock, whistler, whistlepig (due to a warning sound made through their large front teeth), moonack, weenusk, red monk, and in our family, pest! Although woodchucks may be found all throughout North America, the majority of their habitat is in the eastern United States and a significant portion of southern Canada. In our lakefront gardens, which are located in the south central region of Massachusetts, it was seen this morning. In the state of New England, they may be found in yards, fields, meadows, woods clearings, and even along roads that have grassy edges. They can be found in both urban and suburban settings. What are the characteristics of a woodchuck? A brown, thickly coated creature with little ears and beady little brown eyes should be on your lookout. It should be between 16 and 20 inches in length, with a tail that is six inches long, and it should weigh anywhere between six and twelve pounds. In addition to having massive front incisors, they have short, powerful legs that are geared for digging. Despite the fact that they have a stocky look, woodchucks are skilled swimmers and may sometimes climb trees in order to assess their surroundings or to escape when they are being searched for. However, foxes, hawks, racoons, coyotes, and dogs will go for their young. Fortunately for them, they do not have to worry about many predators because of their size. However, they will still be attacked by these animals. Because woodchucks are diurnal, it is quite unlikely that you will come across one that is active during the day. They make their homes in large burrows that may be up to forty feet long and two to six feet deep. Burrows are full with chambers that serve a variety of purposes, such as a place to sleep, a nursery, a place to hide from bad weather, or a place to dispose of garbage. It is possible for the woodchuck to enter and exit the den via as many as five different holes. A large dirt mound will often be located to the side of the main entrance, providing the woodchuck with a place to stop and watch or rest. During the summer months, you will be able to see a woodchuck eating in the early morning and late afternoon. Following that, it will spend the rest of the day sleeping or sun bathing. a life like that! Over the course of the late summer, they start to put on weight in order to get ready for the transition to their winter caves, which are one of the real hibernators that can be found in Massachusetts. It is important to note that during the period of hibernation, which lasts from October to April, their body temperature decreases from 99 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and their pulse slows from 100 to four beats per minute. When they are in their second year, mating does not take place until the spring. They live between five and six years on average when they are in their natural habitat. Females are responsible for the upbringing of their offspring after a gestation period of thirty-two days. From four to six kits or more will be contained inside a single litter. They are ready to leave the burrow with their mother after they have weaned, which typically occurs around the age of six weeks. After the late summer season has passed, the kits will go out on their own to explore the world. As a result of the fact that a woodchuck consumes a diet that is mostly herbivorous (vegetarian), our garden is experiencing some difficulties. A wide range of grasses, clover, alfalfa, dandelion, and a wide range of wild and cultivated flower species are among the foods that they consume. In addition, they take pleasure in eating hickory and maple tree bark, as well as blackberries, cherries, raspberries, and several other fruits (including our blueberries). It is common knowledge that a fresh vegetable garden stands out as a preferred feeding table for the woodchuck, who seems to be always hungry. Vegetables such as broccoli, peas, beans, carrot tops, lettuce, and squash are among the most often consumed vegetables. essentially everything that we planted in the spring! Asters, daisies, lilies, marigolds, pansies, phlox, snapdragons, and sunflowers are some of the flowers that they target when it comes to the flower field. I would add lupines to the list since we saw our obnoxious woodchuck ripping young lupine stems off like he was eating corn on the cob. It is important to remember that when the green leafy treats become scarce, they will also consume grasshoppers, june bugs, grubs, snails, and other big insects. This is something that should be taken into consideration. Woodchucks are infamous for being a significant annoyance in the vicinity of agricultural and gardening areas. When it comes to protecting crops from these ravenous rodents, fence is the only realistic and humane answer option. Chicken wire fences that not only go up with a curve outwards at the top, but are also buried down at least a foot underground, may often be effective as a deterrent. One further approach is to secure a fence that is between four and six feet tall and then place chicken wire around the perimeter of the garden. Because these creatures are able to climb and dig, you will need to construct in an upward, downward, and circumferential direction. There are also alternative solutions available, such as using repellents, such as growing gopher plants or crown imperial fritillary around the garden, or spraying the regions with fox or coyote urine, diluted tabasco sauce, red pepper flakes, or human hair. If you own a dog, you should give your pet permission to visit the garden area on a regular basis so that he or she may “mark” his or her territory. Last but not least,, much like other animals, woodchucks are known to be violent and transmit the rabies virus. Stay away from close touch. In Massachusetts, it is against the law to relocate a woodchuck, thus you should not even contemplate doing so. darn. Do you know what a gardener does? Are you familiar with the film “Caddy Shack,” which stars Bill Murray?
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