The groundhog is a large rodent that belongs to the squirrel family. It is also called the woodchuck. The groundhog’s scientific name is Marmota monax.
The groundhog lives in the United States and Canada. It can be found in meadows and forests.
The groundhog weighs about 4 to 13 pounds (2 to 6 kilograms). Not counting its bushy tail, the groundhog is about 13 to 20 inches (33 to 51 centimeters) long. Its fur is brown or reddish brown. The groundhog has strong legs and heavy claws that are good for digging.
The groundhog lives in a burrow, or hole. It eats grass and other plants. During the winter the groundhog hibernates in its burrow. It hardly moves or eats for months.
A female groundhog gives birth to a litter of about four or five young. They are born blind and helpless, but they grow quickly. At the age of two months they go off on their own.
In the United States and Canada, February 2 is Groundhog Day. On this day people watch as a groundhog comes out of its burrow. If the animal sees its shadow, it is said that winter will go on for six more weeks. If not, then spring is near.
