Groundhogs (Marmota monax), also known as woodchucks, whistle pigs and land beavers, are large rodents that belong to the squirrel family.The name woodchuck is derived from the Algonquian word wuchak, which means diggers. There are 14 species of marmots.All the 14 marmot species are found in Eurasia and North America. Marmota manox are commonly found in the eastern United States and in southern parts of Canada. The average lifespan of a woodchuck is five to six years. Groundhogs start breeding in early February, right after hibernation in winter. They produce four to six kits per litter between early April and mid-May after a gestation period of 32 days. They only produce one litter every year. The young animals leave the burrow after six weeks. These animals have short legs and long tails. The burrows they dig have various tunnels and separate chambers. It is believed that the burrows built by this rodent led to the discovery of a historic village in central Ohio.Continue reading to know more about a woodchuck’s tail and habitat. You can also check out our other articles on the groundhog’s diet and learn if groundhogs climb trees.What does the tail of a groundhog look like?The tails and sharp claws of groundhogs are two features that set them apart from similar animal species.The tail of a woodchuck is brownish-gray in color. Like all other squirrels, this animal also has a long tail. Their tail is mainly used to perform arboreal acrobatics. It also uses it for many other reasons. Whistle pigs have sharp claws. Their prime habitat is woodlands. These animals build their burrows in stone walls, buildings and trees. Groundhogs do this tedious task easily without breaking a sweat thanks to their razor-sharp claws.All of us have heard the famous tongue twister ‘How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood’. However, woodchucks rarely chew wood! Richard Thomas, an expert in New York state wildlife, discovered that woodchucks would chuck 35 ft (1 m) of dirt when they are burrowing. He also states that if a woodchuck could chuck wood, it would probably chuck 700 lb (317.5 kg) of wood.Does a groundhog have a fluffy tail?Yes, Groundhogs (Marmota monax) have thick fluffy tails.A woodchuck’s tail is used to make a variety of items, including mitten linings and fur jackets. The tail is discarded by hunters. Some hunters exchange it for cash or lures.How long is a groundhog tail?Groundhogs have short legs and long tails. The tail of a woodchuck is almost half the length of its body. Their body size is 16-20 in (40.64-50.8 cm). A groundhog’s tail can be 7-9.75 in (18-25 cm) long.While hibernating, the body temperature of a woodchuck drops from 99 F (37.2 F) to 40 F (4.4 C). Their heartbeat also drops drastically from 100 to four beats every minute. This is when their long tail comes in handy. It acts as an insulator and prevents woodchucks from freezing.What causes groundhog tail hair loss?Woodchucks(Marmota monax), just like dogs, have coats of fur. Coarse reddish-brown or gray hair is present on the outer layer, while the inner layer has silky and pale-colored hair.During hibernation, the inner layer helps in insulation. Dark-brown colored hair is present all over the tail. The hair on the tail often falls off in clumps due to mange or fungal diseases. In mange, microscopic mites dig through layers of hair to reach the skin of the animal and suck blood from it. In the process, hair is lost. Once the bushy fur in the tail is lost, it is gone forever. Groundhogs and other squirrels never regrow it. They are prone to falling when this happens as thin tails do not provide much balance. Sometimes a particular portion of hair in a groundhog’s tail might be missing. This might be a result of predatory attacks or fights with other groundhogs.What does it mean when a groundhog has its tail up?When groundhogs have their tails standing upright, it means they have spotted a predator. They raise their tails to convey the message and alert other groundhogs in the vicinity.Elevating their tail also increases stress hormones. Higher levels of stress hormones give them stamina and also help them understand things better. They immediately run away from risks and hide in their burrows. Squirrels have flexible tails that can be bent in any direction.On groundhog day, Americans pay close attention to groundhogs. This is because they use groundhogs as weather predictors. If a groundhog sees its shadow on the ground before returning to its burrow, it implies that there will be six weeks of winter. If the day is cloudy and the groundhog does not see its shadow on the ground, it means spring will arrive sooner than anticipated. This unique tradition has won a cherished position in American mythology and has been very popular to date. The use of this animal as a weather predictor might have started in the early days of Christianity in Europe. Despite the fact that the groundhog has only forecast the weather properly 40% of the time, the tradition still continues and is believed by many people. Groundhog day falls on February 2.What does it mean when a male groundhog wags his tail at another groundhog?Generally, groundhogs(Marmota monax) wave their tails to exhibit a wide range of emotions, like happiness, excitement, nervousness, anxiety and many more. In the case of a male groundhog, tail-wagging behavior at other groundhogs is a romantic gesture.Groundhogs start showing courtship behaviors in late February. In order to visit female groundhogs, male groundhogs travel a long distance. When they reach their burrows, they wag their tails like a dog. Female groundhogs are sometimes receptive to their efforts, and sometimes they are not. In cases where another male groundhog has established himself in the burrows of the female, the inquisitive male will start visiting other places in pursuit of a more receptive female. Once the male finds a suitable mate, it moves into the female’s burrow. Males vacate the area when a female groundhog is ready to give birth.What does it mean when a groundhog twirls its tail?Groundhogs can twirl their tails for a variety of reasons.When these rodents spot predators, they will twirl their tails in an attempt to evade snakes. Most snakes use hide-and-attack methods to capture prey. When groundhogs twirl their tails, they produce heat which is detected by the infrared sensors in a snake. This lets the snake know that the groundhog is aware of its presence and is ready to flee the area upon any attack attempts. When they spot snakes that do not have infrared sensors, groundhogs simply twirl their tails without producing heat.Groundhogs are selfish animals that are never willing to share their food when they eat. Their diet includes clover, grass, tree barks, chickweeds, wildflowers and cultivated flowers. Nuts and seeds are a major part of their diet which they don’t like to share. A groundhog will gobble certain foods while it will not eat other types immediately. Instead, these rodents store food for the winter months when food availability is scarce. The tail twirling is a warning to keep fellow mates away from their food.Female groundhogs twirl their tails when they are around their young ones. Groundhogs also do this when they are alarmed and feel threatened.Did You Know…A woodchuck can be killed if it damages the foundation of a house by digging. Burrowing can leave multiple holes in the entrance and other places of your house. Over time, dust piles up in these holes, making your living area unhygienic. They also damage the beautiful plants in your yard. Though these rodents are small, they consume large amounts of vegetation in summer. They try to gain weight and build their fat reserves. This is when they eat up most of your plants. Such habits can be a great nuisance.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ‘Groundhog tail’, then why not take a look at ‘Groundhog burrow’ or ‘Groundhog Facts’?
Groundhogs (Marmota monax), also known as woodchucks, whistle pigs and land beavers, are large rodents that belong to the squirrel family.
