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People often associate groundhogs with Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day’s roots lie in the Christian tradition of Candlemas, a celebration commemorating the presentation of Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem. Some believed that a sunny Candlemas foretold a longer winter. Germans took it a step further, believing that small animals that saw their shadow on Candlemas herald 40 extra winter days. Regardless of tradition, many people today still consider groundhogs to be harbingers of spring. At the other end of the spectrum, gardeners and farmers often view groundhogs as pests. Also known as the woodchuck, the groundhog is a burrowing rodent in the marmot family Sciuridae. These cuddly looking critters live all over the country United States and Canada and can wreak havoc on a garden or vegetable patch. Many people develop a negative image of groundhogs, but few can explain why. Fewer still know that answer to the question “what do groundhogs eat?”
To dispel negative views about groundhogs, it’s important to understand what they eat. After all, their burrowing behavior is just a product of their desire to find food and shelter. Today we’ll discuss what groundhogs like to eat and how they find food. We will also discuss what they eat in the wild and in captivity, and what baby marmots eat. That way, if there’s a groundhog in your yard, you’ll understand why and learn how to coexist with this furry critter. That said, let’s delve into the topic of “what do groundhogs eat.”
What do Groundhogs like to eat?
Like most rodents, groundhogs are primarily herbivorous, meaning they eat mostly plant matter. Groundhogs eat a wide variety of vegetation, most of which are available in the wild. However, they also like to eat cultivated crops, which can lead to the wrath of farmers and gardeners. While vegetables, grasses and berries make up the bulk of a groundhog’s diet, they will eat other foods. For example, they will also eat insects, mollusks and even small ones birds. That said, they are generally not considered omnivores as they rarely eat these other foods. Groundhogs eat plants that are easy to find in the area. To narrow down this extensive list, we’ve identified 10 foods groundhogs prefer to eat. The foods that groundhogs like best include:
- Grasses
- Vegetables
- Clover
- Lucerne
- To leaf through
- berries
- larvae
- insects
- snails
- birds
- Bark
How Do Groundhogs Look For Food?
Groundhogs rely on their keen senses to help them survive and find food in the wild. In particular, a groundhog relies most on its eyesight, smell and hearing. That said, hearing is most commonly used to detect predators, rather than find food. In fact, reports estimate that they can hear food prints more than 500 meters away. Groundhogs have exceptional vision and can see moving objects from afar. When groundhogs come out of their burrows, they use eyes and noses to locate food. Their noses are quite sensitive and help them locate ripe vegetables. However, their susceptibility is also their downfall, as many people emit odorants that groundhogs find repellent. Meanwhile, groundhogs rely less on taste and touch to help them find food.
On average, a groundhog’s range is only about 2-3 acres. Within that range, groundhogs spend most of their time underground resting or burrowing, or foraging on top. Groundhogs tend to build their burrows in areas where food is plentiful and readily available. This means they will often dig under fences or other barriers to get to the plants on the other side. They become most active during the day, but usually only emerge to forage in the morning or evening. After foraging, groundhogs can bring extra food back to their burrows. Their desire to return food to their burrows has to do with their instinct to store food for the winter.
What do Groundhogs eat in the wild?
Groundhogs eat a wide variety of plants that grow in their territory. In addition, their diet can change with the seasons, and also if cultivated crops grow nearby. Some of a groundhog’s favorite foods are plants such as dandelions, sorrel, clover and alfalfa. These leafy greens make up the bulk of a wild marmot’s diet and are readily available in most environments. In addition to grasses, wild groundhogs also eat fruits such as berries, apples, pears and cherries. If a marmot’s burrow is near a yard or farm, they are allowed to eat any of the cultivated vegetables that grow there. Some of their favorite vegetables to munch on are lettuce, corn, carrots, peas, beans, squash, and celery. Groundhogs also eat insects such as grasshoppers and crickets, but also snails and larvae. On rare occasions, they will eat baby birds, especially if they have fallen from a nearby nest.
What do captive groundhogs eat?
Occasionally people will keep groundhogs as pets, but this rarely happens due to their aggressive nature. That said, some groundhogs grow up in captivity for one reason or another. In captivity, a groundhog eats much of the same food as a wild groundhog. Greens and grasses make up the bulk of the diet, including lettuce, alfalfa, clover, sorrel, dandelions and leaves. It will also eat vegetables such as carrots, celery, peas, beans and corn. They also enjoy fruits such as berries, apples, pears and cherries. Occasionally they will also eat nuts, although these should make up a smaller portion of a marmot’s diet in captivity. The same is true for insects, as they are not prominent in the diet of wild groundhogs. Infant captive groundhogs should be fed a heated infant formula, such as ebsilac powder. Always consult an expert before giving any new food to a groundhog.
What do baby groundhogs eat?
w
ith their mothers until they are about 2 months old.
Also known as pups or kits, baby groundhogs are born blind and almost completely hairless. They measure only about 4 inches long and weigh about 1 ounce. After birth, baby marmots will spend about 2 months with their mother before venturing out on their own. During the first three weeks of their lives they live exclusively on mother’s milk. However, when they are old enough, they will also start eating soft flowers and grasses. By the time they leave their mothers, they can eat the same food as adult groundhogs. Captive baby marmots usually live on a diet of ebsilac powder until they are old enough to tolerate other foods. From there, common foods include pureed fruits such as bananas or apples, as well as fresh vegetables. Before introducing any new food to a baby marmot, consult a veterinarian or local expert.
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