FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



The Woodchuck is the best known of the large terrestrial 

 Squirrels. Because of the wide geographic distribution of the 

 genus, nearly every one who has spent any amount of time 

 out of doors has come into contact with one or more of the 

 di^ierent forms of Woodchuck or Ground-hog. 



In the eastern states, the brownish red subspecies of momx 

 are common creatures of the farm and country-side where 

 their plump, heavy-set figures are known to every f armer s 

 boy Here they live in stone-walls, in wood-piles, or in bur- 

 rowi which they dig near a clover field or other source of food 

 supply The burrows usually have several openings to the 

 urface so that the animal may have a choice of more than one 

 entrance or exit. Woodchucks occasionally climb up on 

 stumps, or a short distance up small trees, but habitually 

 soend their existence on the ground. 



Although a Woodchuck will run for its burrow immediately 

 on the approach of a Dog, when cornered it is a good match 

 for a sma'l Dog and puts up a good fight. Where it is exposed 

 to constant persecution in a farming region, it is a cunning and 

 wary creature, able to take care of itself. It may be decidedly 

 destructive on a farm not only because of what it eats but be- 

 cause of the large burrows it makes, which may be m places 

 where holes and mounds of earth are obstructions to cultiva- 



tion. 



Woodchucks are not sociable creatures and generally adults 

 are found only one to a burrow, and the animals are apt to be 

 pretty well scattered over a region rather than concentrated 

 i-. one soot as is the case with Prairie-dogs. ,, , , , 



Zr a long summer of successful foraging, the Woodchuck 

 becomes very fat and his pelage takes on a richer and more 

 glossy appearance. When winter sets in and food is scarce 

 ?he Woodchuck hibernates, passing a long period in a dormant 

 condition not easily distinguished from death. Duringh.be. 

 nation the normal bodily activities are suspended and he 

 an mal requires so little energy for his long sleep that the 

 ZZ lay^ of fat is sufficient; respiration and pulse are feeb^ 

 andTluggish, body temperature is low, and the animal is in- 

 sensible to is surroundings. If gradually warmed, he W 

 s^on revive and take notice of what goes on fo-'^}^-J^^ 

 tiZ for hibernation varies with the locality, depending on the 

 Cgth and severity of the winter, in the Atlantic States being 



