Punxsutawney Phil

The Punxsutawney Phil travel bug would like to go and see all of the festivities that occur on February 2nd, in Punxsutawney, PA. If possible takes some pictures of the events with the travel bug. The prime photo would be to take a picture with the real Punxsutawney Phil groundhog. The rough location of Punxsutawney, PA is N40 56.618 W78 58.245.

The groundhog, or woodchuck, is a rodent and a member of the Squirrel Family. Its common name, woodchuck, is an anglicized corruption of an Indian name for this species. The origin of its other name, groundhog, is obvious from the animal's squat appearance, waddling gait and habit of living in the ground.

The groundhog varies in size from 16-27 inches (406-685 mm) in length; it has short, powerful legs and a medium-long, bushy, and somewhat flattened tail. The long, coarse fur of the back is a grizzled grayish brown with a yellowish or reddish cast. Woodchucks weigh 4-14 pounds (1.8-6.3 kg), being lightest in spring when they are just out of hibernation and heaviest in fall prior to hibernation.

When North America was first settled, woodchucks were relatively scarce, but as timbered areas were opened and woodland edge, fencerows and meadows increased, the chuck's range expanded and the animals prospered.

Woodchucks prefer to live along the edges where timbered areas are bordered by open land or along fencerows and heavily vegetated gullies or stream banks. Here they dig their burrows. The main entrance is often located beneath a tree stump or rock and is usually conspicuous because of a pile of freshly excavated earth and stones. Side entrances are smaller and better concealed. The tunnels lead to an enlarged chamber, 3-6 feet (.9-1.8 m) underground, which contains the nest. By the end of October, most woodchucks are curled up in a profound sleep in their underground nest. So deep is this sleeps that even if an animal is warmed up, it requires several hours to awaken. Woodchucks usually hibernate all winter, although during periods of mild weather, some individuals may awaken. As the daily temperatures rise and plant growth increases, the chucks spend more and more time above ground. During this period, the main activity is feeding and basking in the spring sun. In digging, the front feet and claws are used primarily, but the teeth may be employed to move stones or cut roots. The amount of subsoil removed in the course of digging one burrow averages 716 pounds (325 kg). Digging is done so rapidly that a small burrow can be finished in one day, though upkeep is continued as long as the burrow is occupied.

The woodchuck is almost a complete vegetarian, eating leaves, flowers and soft stems of various grasses, of field crops such as clover and alfalfa, and of many kinds of wild herbs. Certain garden crops like peas, beans and corn are favorites. Chucks occasionally climb trees to obtain apples and papaws, which they relish.

Woodchucks formerly were trapped for their fur, which was used for cheap fur coats. The flesh of young and lean animals is good food.