What is a Groundhog?

April King, aka Marumari

A groundhog is a fairly large rodent in the family Sciuridae with other marmots.  Also known as a woodchuck or land beaver, the woodchuck is found throughout most of the northern half of North America and are most common in the midwest and eastern part of the United States.  Most grow to about 18 to 25 in long and weigh about 5 to 10 lb.  However, there are reports of groundhog's growing to be over 30lbs!  Groundhogs can live around 5 years but in the right situation like Wiarton Willie, an albino groundhog and mascot of the town of Wiarton, Ontario, they can live over 20 years. Read more about Wiarton Willie here. 



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 Groundhogs are also mostly herbivores but will eat insects and grubs. They eat heavily in the fall as they are true hibernators. They build winter burrows and typically stay in complete hibernation from as long as October to April.  Like most hibernating animals, they use fat reserve to survive the long winter.

They typically live in open land areas or near the edge of forests.  Although they are hunted by humans, their population in most areas is stable if not flourishing.  This is attributed to their quick ability to reproduce and have large litter sizes.

The History of Groundhog Day

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

February 2 is known throughout the United States and even the world as "Groundhog Day." The tradition calls for a groundhog (a fairly large and furry rodent that's also known as a woodchuck) to emerge from his burrow. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it scurries back into his burrow, signifying that we have 6 more weeks of winter.  If he does not see his shadow, all can rejoice as winter is coming to an end.  But where does this tradition come from?

According to wikipedia:

The holiday, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog. The holiday also bears some similarities to the medieval Catholic holiday of Candlemas. It also bears similarities to the Pagan festival of Imbolc, the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar, which is celebrated on February 1 and also involves weather prognostication and to St. Swithun's Day in July.

An early American reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry, dated February 5, 1841, of Berks County, Pennsylvania storekeeper James Morris:

Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.

In Scotland the tradition may also derive from an English poem:

As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop

This tradition also stems from similar beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and Groundhog Day. Candlemas, also known as the Purification of the Virgin or the Presentation, coincides with the pagan observance Imbolc.