AWSS #17 Groundhog Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

David: It seems the area has been logged, which is part of the land use, but will negatively impact the caching experience greatly here. Part of the reason I put these out here was the beauty of the area, plus the topo was right for access to the smiley layout. I looked long and hard for the right area and I'm sad to see these go.

More
Hidden : 3/20/2010
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


Alabama Wildlife Smiley Series


Groundhog

The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as a woodchuck or whistle-pig, or in some areas as a land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Other marmots, such as the yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the woodchuck is a lowland creature. It is widely distributed in North America and common in the northeastern and central United States. Groundhogs are found as far north as Alaska, with their habitat extending southeast to Alabama.

The groundhog is the largest sciurid in its geographical range, typically measuring 40 to 65 cm (16 to 26 in) long (including a 15 cm (6 in) tail) and weighing 2 to 4 kg (4 to 9 lb). In areas with fewer natural predators and large amounts of alfalfa, groundhogs can grow to 80 cm (30 in) and 14 kg (31 lb). Groundhogs are well adapted for digging, with short but powerful limbs and curved, thick claws. Unlike other sciurids, the groundhog's spine is curved, more like that of a mole, and the tail is comparably shorter as well – only about one-fourth of body length. Suited to their temperate habitat, groundhogs are covered with two coats of fur: a dense grey undercoat and a longer coat of banded guard hairs that gives the groundhog its distinctive "frosted" appearance.

Groundhogs usually live from two to three years, but can live up to six years in the wild. In captivity, groundhogs can exceed this limit; by example, the 22-year-old Wiarton Willie may indicate the maximum lifespan. Common predators for groundhogs include wolves, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, bears, large hawks, owls, and dogs. Young groundhogs are often at risk for predation by snakes, which easily enter the burrow. Mostly herbivorous, groundhogs primarily eat wild grasses and other vegetation, and berries and agricultural crops when available. Groundhogs also eat grubs, grasshoppers, insects, snails and other small animals, but are not as omnivorous as many other sciurids. Like squirrels they also have been observed sitting up eating nuts such as shagbark hickory but unlike squirrels do not bury them for future use.


Bag Limits: No bag limit.

Open Season: No closed season. Daylight Hours Only. See the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website or printed literature for more information.

To report hunting or fishing violators in Alabama, call 1-800-272-GAME - 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.


The cache...

  • The cache container is at the posted coordinates.
  • Optional task: Please research an interesting fact about groundhogs in Alabama and include it in your log. Please do not use the same interesting fact posted by anyone else if you can help it.
  • You are looking for a special container which holds a log sheet. Please do not mention anything descriptive about this container in your log.
  • No stickers please. I will not delete logs which use stickers, but I do ask that you respect my request.
  • The use of a team name when signing the log is acceptable, however, you must be specific about being part of the team in your online log in case I cross-check the cache log.
  • You will need to furnish your own writing instrument to sign and date the log. The log is inside a plastic ziplock baggie to assist in weatherproofing. Please do not cut off the closure portion of the baggie. I request that if you find a baggie with the closure cut off and cannot replace it, please notify me of the situation in your online log or via email.
  • Please return the container to its same location and orientation so the next cacher will have the same experience.


See GC24M57 AWSS #1 Bobwhite Quail for parking information.

Enjoy!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

guvegl srrg shegure qbja uvyy

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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