Evening star., 1949-05-17
This and That
BIZ Charles Z. Trdce,rell
ROCKVILLE. Md.

Dear Sir:
Though an avid reader Of This and That,
I can't recall a column on the wood cnuck
family. I am anxious to learn about their
habits, now that family has moved In next
door.
Il am wondering who was the more sur
prised, we to see their new home after JACK
Frost pulled aside the colorful fall curtain
or they on emerging to see house on the
creeks other bank.
April Is we saw the first one, gray
brown: yesterday our thrill was doubled when
a dark brown one timidly Joined in the forag-
ing trips. Little Woody climbed his favorlte
sapling at the edge Of the bank. followed
by Brownie, who soon backed down and
ascended another tree. They summed about
foot apart.
They wag their tails like happy puppies
One carried mouthfuls Of honeysuckle vine
into its den Would it be mattress or baby
food? How many do they raise in season?
When do they enter the dormant state
when emerge?
Thank you for any information about
our fascinating new neighbors.
Sincerely. S. E."
The woodchuck or grounding, as he Is
properly called is really ground squirrel
He is about 2 feet long when full grown,
and weighs about pounds, the size OF
medium sized house cat, but rather robust
and fat looking.
The nose is blunt, the ears low and
rounded. Tail is short and moderately
bushy.
His winter migration, followed by his
emergence February f"groundhog day }
is what has made him famous.
If he sees his shadow, then. according to
kaN IN
more weeks
This famous Information takes place. as
a rule, from october to March.
Like Thumper, the rabbit. the woodchuck
likes clover.
He eats peas beans and lettuce, too, and
so sets the country people against him.
They hunt him with dogs. trap him, and
usually manage to kill him.
Those that survive until summer learn
to be more wary. 1t is said that they often
spring traps set for them.
This clever animal rather on the lazy.
good -natured side, builds his den in a bank
to get drainage.
Sometimes his tunnel runs 30 feet under
ground, mostly not more than feet deep.
The entrance is so slanted that not too
much water can get in.
Side tunnels may range from to 5. Peep
holes may be constructed at the ends, so that
the animal can keep a lookout.
The main burrow has q chamber large
enough for inhabitants to turn around in.
They do not store food.
The side tunnels may be as long as Is
feet
After the young woodchucks come. usually
two or three. each youngster constructs him.
self q new den of his own. This Is q part
Of their natural wisdom.
Hibernation is an odd provision OF nature.
Bears and few other animals share It.
The physical body lives on the animals fat.
Since It is not moving, there is not so much
call for energy material Every function
of the body is at q low ebb Very little work
has been done on Information. as a study.
Not much is known as to the work Of the
kidneys. etc. during this time.
The honeysuckle vine carried into the den
Is bed for the babies. Gray squirrels use
such materials in building their nests" In
trees.
Groundhogs make interesting companions,
but nine-tenths Of humanity have but one
idea on seeing them. TO kill them.
The one tenth left viii have lot Of fun
watching them.
The sad truth is that unless the glorious
one tenth can be increased. mankind will
some day wipe itself out after IL has finished
all the starlings, sparrows. cats. dogs. ground
hogs, squirrels. rabbits, chickens hogs. cattle.
creatures. He wiped out the passenger
pigeons and now is beginning on the star
lings Every Is years he sends his sons into
battle to kill and be killed. What Is In sight
for man except self-destructions