I recall brilliant schemes that resulted in my being humbled and frustrated by this animal's digging and climbing abilities and its persistence. A woodchuck, caught in a cage trap set at the fence line of a garden, considers its options. Later I spent considerable time reading about and studying woodchucks as part of my pursuit of a master's degree in environmental science and forestry. As a wildlife biologist, I often found myself advising desperate gardeners how to ward off woodchucks. Despite this experience, I've realized that the more I study, observe, and try to outwit these animals, the less confident I am in making any absolute statements.
Woodchucks adapt well to many habitats, as seasons and conditions change.
They're one of our few true mammalian hibernators, spending their winters tucked away in protected burrows. This means that if they've found a comfortable locale in the summer and fall, they might very well stay for the spring. Adult woodchucks range in weight from 7 to 12 pounds. They have one litter of three to five young per year. These stocky, oversized ground squirrels come well equipped for their life below deck.