Groundhog’s picture from Wikipedia
Groundhog or woodchuck is a furry little creature sometimes called a land beaver because of its burrowing habit and its beaver like appearance. Unlike beavers, Groundhog eats wild grasses and other vegetation, and berries and agricultural crops when available. Groundhogs also eat grubs, grasshoppers, insects, snails and other small animals. Compared to many fur bearing animals, Groundhog has a relatively short life span of about three years.
With this short life span, one would think that Groundhog would be a group or herd, animal. They are however, quite solitary. If the environment is somewhat cramped, several individuals may occupy the same burrow. Groundhog burrows usually have two to five entrances, providing groundhogs their primary means of escape from predators. Burrows are particularly large, with up to 14 metres (46 ft) of tunnels buried up to 1.5 metres (5 ft) underground (from Wikipedia).
Groundhog sentinel from Wikipedia
Groundhog is a superb whistler, and will whistle to alert danger or to alert the others about food. It also whistles different mating calls. Our Earth Ancestors found that by watching animals, and in particular, Groundhog, that they could get a good indication of what the weather would be like, either on a daily basis or for the next month.
From this observation, our Ancestors began to watch for Groundhog to come out in the spring, that is, as soon as the snow began melting. Remember, they did not have calendars and February 2 meant nothing to our Ancestors. When the sky was clear, and the animal came out, it would sniff the air. Groundhog could smell if another bought of snow or storm was in the air. If so, she would run back into her burrow to sleep where it is warm for another four or five weeks. If she came out and it was cloudy, then she could smell the warmth and the sap beginning to move up the trees, indicating that spring is here. Groundhog depends mostly on vegetation and small insects so the weather has to be warm enough for her to feed herself.
If indeed Groundhog did indicate spring, then our Ancestors knew that it was time to start prepping for planting, if that is what they did. If the People were not farmers, then they would make plans for one more big hunt for meat to carry the families through the spring thaws, when animals may be less available because of migration or simply poor hunting access.
Groundhog wishes you a good spring and a wonderful summer!
Many blessings,
Judy
