Groundhog
Marmota monax
Trail Tidbits
Woodchuck. Whistle pig. Marmot.
Dauset Trails Nature Center is home for Georgia's Official Weather Prognosticator, the one and only, General Beauregard Lee. His residence is pictured above. He makes his "early spring" or "more winter" weather prediction every February 2.
This large member of the squirrel family is diurnal, or active during the day.
They range from north GA up through Canada. They burrow extensively under ground and create separate chambers for sleeping, storing food, and waste elimination. Groundhogs lie in open wooded areas.
Herbivores, they feed on tender plants, especially crops such as corn. Beau loves to eat fresh corn, raw peanuts, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, grapes, and watermelon. On Groundhog Day he enjoys Waffle House hash browns.
Groundhogs hibernate from October through February.