THE RETURN OF THE MARMOTA MONAX 



Edward R. Ladd, Wildlife Biologist 

 Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife 

 DIVISION OF WILDLIFE SERVICES 

 University of Massachusetts 



The Marmota monax , better known as woodchuck or groundhog, is 

 a source of fable as well as nuisance to the farmer. In fable, 

 the popular belief is that if the groundhog sees its shadow on 

 Groundhog Day, February 2, it will return to it' 

 will continue for 6 weeks longer. The animal's 

 er prophet has been disputed. 



s burrow 

 accuracy 



and winter 

 as a weath- 



However, the damage caused by this nuisance animal is real. 

 In the early spring when it comes out of hibernation, its claws 

 are long and its incisor teeth have grown considerably. The animal 

 sharpens its claws and wears down its teeth on nearby trees, shrubs 

 buildings or fence posts. The clawing and gnawing, especially on 

 trees in orchards, causes wounds which eventually may kill a tree. 



The woodchuck is a hearty feeder and lives almost entirely on 

 green succulent plants. It is this foraging on market garden crops 

 and backyard gardens that creates complaints; and calls for con- 

 trol measures arise. 



The most efficient and humane way to control the woodchuck 

 whenever it becomes a nuisance is to gas its burrow. The U.S. Fish 

 and Wildlife Service developed a Gas Cartridge some years ago which 

 still produces the best results. 



The GasCartridae does not work perfectly &very time for every- 

 one, even though the Pocatello Supply Depot has attempted to pro- 

 vide a trouble-free item. Last year when the new red fuse was in- 

 troduced, some difficulty was experienced in that it did not always 

 ignite the gas cartridae. In 1968, a change in fuse types was nec- 

 essary when the former manufacturer became totally occupied with 

 military contracts. 



Information on the shortcoming of the new red fuse was passed 

 on to the supply depot and it went to work to locate a better fuse. 

 It has located a manufacturer of one that supposedly will be iden- 

 tical to the brown fuse — the one that produced almost trouble- 

 free resul ts . 



Cooperators having gas cartridges on hand with faulty fuses 

 may wish to write to the Wildlife Services Fund, University of 

 Massachusetts, Old Conservation Building, Amherst, Massachusetts 

 01002, and request a supply of replacement fuses for which there 

 will be no charge . 



Gas Cartridges must not he used in woodchuck burrows that are 

 located under buildings or near buildings because of the ftre haz- 



