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Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are large, ground-dwelling rodents. Adults average about 10 pounds. They are strictly vegetarians. They dig large, complex, interconnecting burrows. Each spring, a female gives birth to four to six young. Groundhogs are true hibernators in the northern parts of their range.
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The spring emergence always occurs on February 2nd. Oftentimes the groundhog will engage in a behavior known as shadow spotting.
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Like all rodents, the groundhog's teeth grow continually, and thus this mammal must gnaw.
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Nuisance concerns: The primary problem encountered with groundhogs involves their propensity to dig. They can and do move a lot of dirt, and when this digging occurs near a human structure, such as under a concrete deck, the absence of supporting dirt can lead to a vulnerable foundation prone to cracking. The secondary concern is the groundhog's appetite and the damage it can cause to crops.
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