Ground Hogs

Aw, these critters are so cute. But, I learned not so long ago that they can be a pest. But, I wouldn't make the choice to get rid of the critter my self. They do eat garden plants. They also, according to the critter killer that my bosses called into their property, can destablize ground when they burrow beneath it. This guy said he'd seen personally a patio that collapsed because of ground hog burrows. I say the likelihood of that happening (if you had a patio) is slim.

Just to nibble at one question, your cats are probably reacting to other cats. Matter of fact, this was quite an issue in the early hours this morning. Of course, my cats are male - more or less.

Groundhogs are not likely to raid your garbage cans. They are dedicated vegetarians seeking out the freshest and most delectable plants for themselves and their kids.

Obviously they raid gardens.

I'm guessing that your chunk of suburbia is fairly close to either woodlots or farm land. One reason skunks and raccoons have adapted so well to suburban living is that they are nocturnal. Groundhogs like to sleep at night and forage during the day.

They may look fat and cuddly. They aren't particularly. They are very turf aware animals with a generous share of aggressive impulses. Ground hog males have been know to battle, drawing blood. When the loser tries to flee, the winner follows and rips his tail off.

Cats and dogs may be regarded as invaders and dealt with in ground hog fashion.

Lord - here we have a SERIOUS groundhog thread!

Roger, did you not say they can harbour rabies somewhere?

A FAT groundhog? pregnant? Or, do they hibernate and therefore store fat?

perhaps they just estivate......

groundhogs are now beginning their prep for hibernation. In the NE they usually start hibernating as early as october. they start stirring as early as January . Hence the Groundhog day lcelebration. We needed a rat in winter so we could party. since we dont have hedgehogs in this hemisphere, we chose the american marmot.
Cute little guys, tasty too.

Ah..thanks all for stopping in and assisting with the ground hog questions.
The cat issue..well, they are always reacting to cats in the prowl and lately they have had episodes of some seriously strange reactions. Having the blinds drawn to keep the abode cooler Im not sure but, I had put it in the back of my head to check out another time.
I live not in the slightest near any farmland or wooded area, in fact I m about two blocks from the beach and the closest wooded area is MUCH too far for a tiny critter like that to travel and many other nice gardens to carry on in on the way.
My yard howwever is going through a lovely transition from a fairly large lot for the area that is pleasant and lovely to some wildflower infested overgrown jungle...must have a great number of snakes this year if I were to give that a guess as well.
The holes....eh..probably help, couldnt hurt.
Do they eat fruits? One large branch of the pear tree is hanging on the ground now, might have a nice treat in a couple weeks.
So the guy is fat cuz hes storing up..good, I thought maybe he just lucked out in the new jungle area and was a happy little soul.
I wouldnt mess with him thats for sure....cute and cuddly or not...that would just be asking for it. Ill just watch him, thats fine.
How well do they see...anyone know?

My dog had a real fight to the death with a ground hog. Dog won.

Nasty varmints...

They make a good Kentucky Burgoo though, especially if you are fresh out of opossum.

Thought they were vegetarian - they cook MEAT?!!!!!

Okay, , I should have said they taste good in a Kentucky Burgoo...

i have never even seen a groundhog, or a skunk (thank god) or a racoon come to think of it...

ah england. tis heavanly here.

ground hogs
My garbage has been recenlty getting raided. I spotted what looks like a "marmot" or groundhog I guess? Do you think it could be anything else?

Absent more information, I would suspect dogs first, cats second. A racoon could do it, and maybe a skunk.

Oh, I see I didn't answer Dlowan's question of 5 years ago. I've probably said several times that plague is endemic in our prairie dog population. I don't know about rabies in prairie dogs or groundhogs.

Some questions are ageless. Next up will be a request for a western style breakfast.

Nesetm--

Welcome to A2K.

Is your garbage in cans or bags?

Groundhogs are vegetarians and while they can ruin a garden, they aren't much interested in garbage.

Farmerman, do not temp me.