January 27, 2015
By Ania Wallace
Smead Discovery Center
Trinity High School Intern
Separate fact from folklore when it comes to all things groundhog! Did you know there is little logic to the tongue twister, “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” Groundhogs, commonly called woodchucks, are actually incompetent when it comes to throwing wood. Groundhogs gnaw and chew wood rather than chuck it!
Groundhogs are extreme dieters. After bulking up in summer, they hibernate underground and eat very little in winter. Groundhogs are “true” hibernators. “True” hibernators, although they may wake up at intervals to eat, are difficult to disturb or awaken. Their body temperature lowers significantly, which underground can get as low as 39 degrees Fahrenheit! They also slow their heart rate and breathing. Animals that are easily woken up and do not reduce their body temperature, heart rate and breathing are not “true” hibernators. Skunks and raccoons can be counted among the imposters.
According to popular folklore, groundhogs can predict the arrival of spring if they do or do not cast a shadow when they come out of hibernation on Groundhog Day February 2. Punxsutawney Phil, the famous “weather predicting” groundhog from Pennsylvania, has only been 39 percent accurate on weather predictions since 1887. You have a better chance of predicting the weather by just flipping a coin!
Although groundhogs cannot predict the spring, they are fascinating creatures. Join us as we celebrate them on Groundhog Fun Day Saturday, January 31, 2015. Meet Lake Erie Eddie, The Museum’s resident groundhog. Eddie is not just an ordinary groundhog; he’s also an artist! Paintings from Eddie will be raffled off at Groundhog Fun Day for $1 per entry ticket. All proceeds benefit the wild residents under the Museum’s care. Live animal demonstrations featuring native Ohio species will be presented throughout the day. There will also be more than six family friendly activities, such as tunneling like a groundhog to see your shadow. Groundhog Fun Day runs from 10 am to 4 pm and is free with Museum admission.
Do you have what it takes to be a groundhog? Watch this Creature Feature and subscribe to our
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