# Groundhog (*Marmota monax*) > The groundhog (Marmota monax) is a large ground-dwelling squirrel, or marmot, native to fields and woodland edges across much of North America. Also known as the woodchuck, it grows to about 65 cm long, weighs up to 6 kg before winter, and digs extensive burrows. Groundhogs are true hibernators, sleeping through the cold months, and live around four to six years in the wild. - **Category:** Mammal - **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern - **Range:** Eastern and central North America from Alabama to Alaska across fields, woodland edges, and suburbs. - **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/groundhog/ - **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16 ## Scientific classification - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Marmota ## Facts at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Scientific name | Marmota monax | | Diet | Herbivore — grasses, clover, dandelion, and garden vegetables | | Habitat | Fields, woodland edges, and suburban areas of North America | | Lifespan | 4–6 years in the wild (up to 14 in captivity) | | Weight | 2–6 kg (4.4–13 lb); heavier before hibernation | | Top speed | Up to 16 km/h (10 mph) to burrow | | Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) | ## Burrowing and daily life Groundhogs are among the most accomplished diggers of the rodent world, excavating burrow systems that can run several metres long with multiple chambers and escape exits. These tunnels provide shelter for sleeping, raising young, and hiding from predators such as foxes, coyotes, and hawks. A groundhog rarely strays far from a burrow entrance and will bolt underground at up to 16 km/h (10 mph) when alarmed. Discarded burrows also become homes for rabbits, foxes, and other wildlife. ## Diet and feeding The groundhog is a dedicated herbivore, grazing on grasses, clover, dandelions, and a wide variety of wild and garden plants. In summer it feeds heavily to build up fat reserves, which is why it is such a familiar and unwelcome visitor to vegetable plots and allotments. An adult can eat well over a pound of vegetation in a single day during peak season. This intense feeding is essential preparation for the long hibernation ahead. ## Hibernation Unlike many mammals that merely slow down in winter, the groundhog is a true hibernator. From roughly October to February it retreats to a deep burrow chamber, where its heart rate drops to just a few beats per minute and its body temperature falls close to that of the surrounding soil. It survives entirely on the fat it stored during autumn, emerging thin but alive in early spring. This deep dormancy is what inspired the folklore behind Groundhog Day. ## Groundhog Day and folklore The groundhog owes much of its fame to the North American tradition of Groundhog Day, held on 2 February, when a waking groundhog is said to predict the arrival of spring. According to the custom, if the animal sees its shadow, six more weeks of winter follow. The tradition has no real forecasting value but reflects the groundhog's genuine role as an early-spring riser. It has made this otherwise ordinary marmot one of the continent's best-known wild mammals. ## Breeding and young Groundhogs breed in early spring, soon after emerging from hibernation, and females give birth to a litter of two to six blind, hairless pups after about a month. The young are weaned within roughly six weeks and leave to establish their own burrows by midsummer. Mothers raise the litter alone, as groundhogs are largely solitary outside the breeding season. Most young disperse before their first winter to dig burrows of their own. ## Distribution and status Groundhogs are widespread across the eastern and central United States and much of Canada, thriving in farmland, meadows, and the edges of suburbs. Their adaptability to human-altered landscapes has kept their numbers healthy, and the IUCN lists them as Least Concern. In the wild they usually live four to six years, though protected captive individuals have reached fourteen. Their tunnelling can damage crops and foundations, so they are sometimes treated as agricultural pests. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the difference between a groundhog and a woodchuck? There is no difference — groundhog and woodchuck are two common names for the same animal, Marmota monax. The name woodchuck has nothing to do with wood or chucking; it comes from a Native American word for the animal. ### Do groundhogs really hibernate? Yes. Groundhogs are true hibernators, spending roughly October to February in a deep burrow. Their heart rate and body temperature drop dramatically, and they survive on fat reserves built up over the summer. ### What do groundhogs eat? Groundhogs are herbivores that feed mainly on grasses, clover, dandelions, and other leafy plants. They are also fond of garden vegetables, which often brings them into conflict with gardeners and farmers. ### How long do groundhogs live? In the wild, groundhogs typically live four to six years. In captivity, with no predators and a steady food supply, some have lived up to fourteen years. ### Are groundhogs dangerous? Groundhogs are not dangerous to people and prefer to flee underground when threatened. Their main impact is on gardens and farmland, where their feeding and burrowing can cause damage. ### How big do groundhogs get? Adult groundhogs reach about 65 cm (26 inches) in length and weigh between 2 and 6 kg (4.4 to 13 lb). They are noticeably heaviest in autumn, when they have fattened up for hibernation. ## Sources - [IUCN Red List — Marmota monax.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Marmota%20monax&searchType=species) - [Animal Diversity Web — Marmota monax. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Marmota_monax/) --- Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/groundhog/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.