The Groundhog, or Woodchuck as it is also known, is the largest squirrel found in eastern North America, with a total length of around 60cm and weighing up to 5kg.
Prior to the arrival of Europeans to North America the groundhog was a relatively scarce species. However, as a result of the countryside being denuded of its extensive forests to make way for arable land and pasture for livestock, the population exploded and the Groundhog is now common throughout eastern North America.
They are usually quite crepuscular (i.e. most active in early morning and late evening), but can be seen at any time of the day. During late spring and summer they often spend the warmest hours of the day sunbathing outside their burrows.
Groundhogs only hibernate for a relatively short period in the winter, usually about 3-4 months. Their emergence dates are very regular for a given latitude and elevation, with dates generally being one day later for every 16km (10miles) of latitude.
The regularity of their emergence has given rise to a legend of "Groundhog Day". At Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania it is reputed that if the Groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges from its burrow on 2nd February then six more weeks of winter will be endured.
Ray Wilson owns the copyright of all images on this site.
They may not be used or copied in any form without prior written permission.
raywilsonphotography@googlemail.com