Mammal Study 231 



captured at this period, they make every interesting pets. By August or 

 September the young woodchucks leave the home burrow and start 

 burrows of their own. 



References — Wild Animals, Stone & Cram; Wild Neighbors, Inger- 

 soll; Squirrels and Other Fur Bearers, Burroughs; Familiar Wild Ani- 

 mals, Lottridge. 



LESSON LVI 

 The Woodchuck or Ground-Hog 



Leading thought — The woodchuck has thriven with civilization, not- 

 withstanding the farmer's dog, gun, traps and poison. It makes its nest 

 in a burrow in the earth and lives upon vegetation; it hibernates in 

 winter. 



Method — Within convenient distance for observation by the pupils of 

 every country schoolhouse and of most village schoolhouses, maybe 

 found a woodchuck and its dwelling. The pupils should be given the 

 outline for observations which should be made individually through 

 watching the woodchuck for weeks or months. 



Observations — i. Where is the woodchuck found? On what does it 

 live? At what time of day does it feed ? How does it act when startled? 



2. Is the woodchuck a good fighter? With what weapons does it 

 fight? What are its enemies? How does it escape its enemies when in or 

 out of its burrow? How does it look when running? 



3. What noises does the woodchuck make and what do they mean? 

 Play a "mouth-organ" near the woodchuck's burrow and note if it likes 

 music. 



4. How does the woodchuck make its burrow? Where is it likely 

 to be situated ? Where is the earth placed which is taken from the bur- 

 row? How does the woodchuck bring it out? How is the burrow made 

 so that the woodchuck is not drowned in case of heavy rains ? In what 

 direction do the underground galleries go? Where is the nest placed in 

 relation to the galleries ? Of what is the nest made ? How is the bedding 

 carried in? Of what special use is the nest? 



5. Do you find paths leading to the entrances of the burrow? If so, 

 describe them. How can you tell whether a woodchuck is at home or not 

 if you do not see it enter? Where is the woodchuck likely to station itself 

 when it sits up to look for intruders? 



6. How many woodchucks inhabit the same burrow? Are there 

 likely to be one or more back doors to the burrow? What for? How do 

 the back doors differ from the front doors ? 



7. How long is the longest woodchuck that you have ever seen? 

 What is the woodchuck's color? Is its fur long or short ? Coarse or fine ? 

 Thick or sparse ? Is the skin thick or thin ? Does it seem loose or close 

 fitting? 



8. Compare the front and hind feet and describe difference in size and 

 shape. Are either or both slightly webbed ? Explain how both front and 

 hind feet and legs are adapted by their shape to help the woodchuck. Is 

 the tail long or short ? How does it assist the animal in sitting up ? 



9. What is the shape of the woodchuck's ear? Can it hear well? 

 Why are the ears not filled with soil when the animal is burrowing? Of 

 what use are the long incisors? Describe the eyes. 



