If you’re wondering how old groundhogs are, there are a few factors you should know. First, they hibernate in burrows throughout the winter, but they do come out in the spring to give birth to one to five pups. Their burrows don’t last long, though. The pups leave the den by the time they’re two months old. It’s impossible to know the exact age of a groundhog until you see it, so it’s best to visit your local burrow to observe one.
Although groundhogs can be a nuisance, they are not a health threat, but their invasive behavior can damage your yard. If you’d like to learn more about this fascinating animal, contact Terminix. Their pest control technicians are highly trained to identify and address problems with groundhogs. They can even recommend a groundhog control strategy tailored to your needs. You can rest assured that you’re in good hands with Terminix.
While the groundhogs themselves don’t predict spring with statistical significance, you can still use them to predict the start of the season. In the east, groundhogs usually emerge from their burrows on February 2, which is too early to see spring. Meanwhile, the female groundhogs come out in mid-February or mid-March. For the same reason, don’t try to determine how old groundhogs are by looking at the shadow they cast on the ground.
The first sign of winter is the changing daylight hours. In the fall, they enter their burrows to begin the hibernation process. By mid-October, they are completely asleep and will stay that way through February. During the winter months, they stop eating and hibernate. They will re-emerge in March. You can observe groundhogs in mid-October in their natural habitats.
A groundhog’s diet is varied, but they prefer to eat mostly plant matter. Their diet can consist of more than a pound of vegetation per day. Despite this, adult groundhogs do not eat meat. While they do eat plants, they prefer to eat seeds, bark, and twigs. Often, they make burrows that are close to houses or buildings. This allows them to breed and raise their young.
Groundhogs are not the most reliable meteorologists. But it’s an enjoyable tradition nonetheless. The Punxsutawney Phil has been making predictions since 1886. A secret recipe has given the groundhog his longevity. Unlike humans, groundhogs can live as long as 14 years in captivity. They’re about 20 pounds and 22 inches long. They’ve also been sighted 103 times over 135 years, the longest time of which is nine years ago. In 1943, the Punxsutawney Phil didn’t make his appearance.
As a result, the PGC’s groundhog Phil claims to be immortal. Since 1886, Phil has been 100% right on his predictions. In comparison, Live Science claims that Phil’s lifetime accuracy rate is only 39%. Since 1969, his predictions have been right only 36% of the time. In other words, the PGC’s groundhog is an unlikely candidate for immortality. However, the PGC’s claims are still fun to make.
