Woodchucks are widely distributed in North America and are particularly common in the east where they are found from Alabama and Georgia in the United States to northern Quebec and Ontario. In the west, their range extends northward to Alaska and through southern Yukon and Northwest Territories.
Do groundhogs live in Ontario?
Groundhogs are common residents near agricultural pastures, croplands, backyards and wooded areas such as urban parks. They live in complex burrows with separate spaces for their different needs, and multiple entrance/exit holes.
How can you tell a groundhog from a woodchuck?
What is the Difference Between a Groundhogs and a Woodchuck? There is no difference between a groundhog and a woodchuck. In fact, the terms woodchuck and groundhog are interchangeable.
Where can woodchucks be found?
The woodchuck is found across much of the eastern U.S. and across much of southern Canada. It is also found in Alaska. In New Hampshire, the woodchuck can be found throughout the state in grassy areas, yards, meadows, fields, pastures and in grassy areas along highways.
Where do groundhogs live in Canada?
The groundhog is the most widespread marmot and can be found from Nova Scotia to Yukon.
Where is the groundhog in Ontario?
Wiarton
Wiarton, Ontario is home to Wiarton Willie, the star of an annual local Groundhog Day festival bearing his name.
Which groundhog is for Ontario?
Wiarton Willie
Now, every February 2, Wiarton Willie — an actual albino groundhog — is brought out for Prediction Morning. The story is the same: If he sees his shadow, winter will continue for another six weeks. If not, spring will come early.
What attracts woodchucks to your yard?
Expert Baiting Tips
- In Havahart® field tests, cantaloupe was the best bait for attracting groundhogs and woodchucks.
- If you are able to identify your groundhog’s burrow, place some bait at the entrance, and then position your baited trap about 3 feet from the burrow.
Should I remove a groundhog from my yard?
The short answer is YES, you should. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. These rodents usually dig burrows in grassy areas and eat through gardens causing a lot of damage.
Is it good to have a groundhog in your yard?
Soil Aeration. When digging, groundhogs help aerate soil. Roots, like all other parts of the plant, have to respire, taking in oxygen and emitting carbon dioxide. In unturned soil, roots deplete their limited oxygen while CO2accumulates, making it hard for them to ‘breathe.
Are woodchucks friendly to humans?
People can peacefully coexist with woodchucks because they’re not aggressive and typically don’t transmit diseases. But it’s usually the sheer size of the animal that is its undoing. A smaller burrowing animal like a chipmunk is more easily overlooked.
Is a gopher the same as a woodchuck?
Gophers and groundhogs are both types of burrowing rodents and are both found across North America, but they’re different animals. Groundhogs are bigger and stockier and they hibernate in the winter, unlike gophers, which have special cheek pouches. The word woodchuck is simply another name for a groundhog.
Is a woodchuck a beaver?
Beavers have webbed feet designed for swimming, while woodchucks have feet with claws designed for digging tunnels and burrows. There is also a fairly large size difference between woodchucks and beavers. Woodchucks average anywhere from 10 to 25 pounds, while beavers can weigh over 50 pounds.
Are groundhogs protected in Ontario?
It is illegal to kill or relocate groundhogs in Ontario and most provinces in Canada. The Ministry of Natural Resources has strict rules and regulations on humane removal which has to be obeyed by professional wildlife control companies in Toronto GTA.
How do you tell if you have a groundhog in your yard?
Signs of a Groundhog Infestation
To be exact, they can burrow tunnels that are up to 12 inches wide. A sign of a groundhog infestation is large tunnels in your yard, typically near a tree, fence, or building foundation. Sizeable mounds of soil will also accompany these tunnels.
Is there a Canadian groundhog?
Wiarton Willie is the name given to a Canadian groundhog who lives in the community of Wiarton in Bruce County, Ontario. Every February 2, on Groundhog Day, Willie takes part in the local Wiarton Willie Festival.
What did the groundhog say in Ontario 2022?
Groundhog Day 2022: Ontario’s Wiarton Willie predicts early spring, Nova Scotia predicts long winter.
Did groundhog see his shadow 2022 Ontario?
Groundhog Day 2022: Wiarton Willie predicts early spring with grey skies overhead. Town of South Bruce Peninsula Janice Jackson coaxed Wiarton Willie out of his burrowed hole on Wednesday and with grey skies overhead and light snow falling, Willie did not see his shadow, predicting an early Spring.
Are there groundhogs in Toronto?
Groundhogs, or woodchucks, are large stocky members of the rodent family, weighing 2 to 4 kg with brownish fur, tipped with white and short bushy tails. In Toronto, they are found in large, open natural areas with abundant food and den opportunities.
Are there gophers in Ontario?
Both gophers and groundhogs can be found throughout Canada. Pocket gophers grow to about 15cm in length and are typically smaller than groundhogs, which can be as long as 63cm.
Is a woodchuck considered a rodent?
The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as a woodchuck, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots.