How to prevent Groundhogs from invading. You could also choose either of our Setting Maps (shown at right from Braidy manual and from Talk to Write) for students to gather information and orally share and/or write about describing the groundhog’s burrow. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil the groundhog is a star! Click here to play the whistle The woodchuck Marmota monax—sometimes called groundhog—is a rodent and belongs to the large group of mammals Rodentia, which includes squirrels, prairie dogs, and chipmunks.Within this large group the woodchuck is considered one of the marmots. However, they also can be found in woodlands, on abandoned farms, and occasionally in suburban areas where the combination of food and cover provides satisfactory habitat. Hazing methods meant to get the groundhog to leave the area entirely nearly always fail because, when harassed, the animal will typically just retreat into its … The other 364 days he spends in "Phil's Burrow" (previously called "Groundhog Zoo") a warm terrarium built into the Punxsutawney library. ; The completed project below was created after using the List Map. Habitat, Diet, and Life Cycle Habitat. Legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter will follow. Before releasing the animal on any public or private land, obtain permission from the landowner or governing agency. Well, at least on February 2 he is. The Critical Habitat portal is an online service for information regarding Threatened and Endangered Species final Critical Habitat designation across the United States. Students wrote five facts about the groundhog burrow and glued them to each point on the star (setting) icon. Groundhog burrow systems typically have many entrances, and new ones can always be created if needed. Click here to play the grunt. Woodchuck (aka Groundhog) (Marmota monax) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Groundhog3.jpg. Please review the "Facts About Wildlife Rehabilitation" page for more information about risks associated with relocating wildlife. America's foremost weather forecasting groundhog, a superstar in meteorological circles, officially works one day a year: February 2nd. Tourists can see Phil and his female companion, Phyllis, in their environmentally controlled natural habitat in the town's library. Not all of the critical habitat data designated by the U.S. Among North American rodents, only beavers and porcupines are larger than the marmots. Phil might be a celebrity once a year, but the rest of the time he probably prefers his me-time. Erect a protective fence that extends underground, Remove easy sources of food, Install high frequency sound repellents. In general, woodchucks prefer to construct their burrows in open farmland and wooded or brushy areas adjacent to open land. without permission. Description. Grazing habits, the availability of food, and seasonal changes all influence groundhogs in their quest to find a perfect denning spot. Phil lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where every Groundhog Day people wait for him to come out of his burrow. Groundhog Zoo: Home of Punxsutawney Phil. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is available from this portal. Try habitat modification and non-lethal exclusion methods to convince the groundhogs to live elsewhere, or at least scale back their territory to avoid the affected property. It is unlawful to release wildlife on state-owned lands (State Parks, WMAs, etc.)