They have a large body than squirrels and can grow up to 20 inches in length with a tail that measures about 6 inches roughly. They can weigh up to 14 pounds.
They hibernate starting from late summer to start putting on weight in preparation for the move to their winter dens in the wooded areas during winter. Hibernation starts from October to March. Their temperatures drop from 99 degrees F to 40 degrees F. Their heartbeat also drops from 100 beats per minute to 4 beats per minute.
Woodchucks are vegetarians – they feed on a variety of grasses and chickweeds, plantains, clover, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, and other fruits along with many varieties of cultivated flowers and plants. These creatures love fresh produce too. They also eat June bugs, grasshoppers, and other large insects.
Woodchucks have a lifespan of 5 to 6 years. They do not mate until their second year. Males and females breed in March or April. After this, they have no further contact with the female leaving them to raise the young alone.
Now that we know what woodchuck look like, let’s learn are woodchucks dangerous? Woodchucks can scratch and bite if they sense danger, are threatened or are cornered.