Groundhog

Just for a bit of information, this was made on Groundhog's Day, 2012.

Groundhogs aren't only called groundhogs, they are also called whistle pigs because when danger is near, they whistle. Now this creature does not like to swim, but it can hoggy paddle. And technically it could be called a treehog because if a groundhog wants to, it can climb a tree. And there is even a third name for a ground hog. Its other name is the woodchuck.

But instead of chucking wood, it digs holes. And the holes aren't just a messed up home - they are a lot like the human home, but just underground. Now first the ground hog starts to dig down and then up for the flood stopper, just in case too much water comes in or else the hole could flood. And their ears don't get dirty because they have ear flaps. Their teeth do a little work in the digging. They can chomp through roots and move rocks.

Now the groundhog isn't too fast. It can run as fast as an average 4th grader. Now it may be slow but it isn't picky with homes or food. Here's what it will eat: veggies, fruits, grains, grass, clover, greens. Here are the homes: fields, rocky areas, woods, thickets, under sheds.

But here's the hibernation part. Step 1 for hibernation: fill your stomach with tons of fat because who knows when the groundhog gets hungry during its hibernation.

Now step 2 of hibernation: pack yourself tight with tons of dirt by closing up the entrance and sleep for many weeks and maybe months. And while the groundhog is sleeping, everything starts to slow down. And just like its cousin the beaver, its teeth never stop growing but when the groundhog hibernates, then it stops.

Step 3 of hibernation: start looking for more food and hopefully find a mate to pass on the next generation. And here's how they greet each other when a male and female like each other: they rub cheeks and noses. And these groundhogs don't seem to have any weapons but actually it does: it can chatter its teeth loud enough to get rid of the predators.

Here are the predators: Coyotes, dogs, birds of prey, and foxes.

And the groundhog can really see you from his hole like a periscope - he can see if anyone is approaching his hole. And even if something went past him, he would still be able to know because he's got a good enough nose to know if any other creature has been trying to sneak into the den.

Recommended reading: "Groundhog Gets a Say", by Pamela Curtis Swallow & illustrated by Denise Brunkus.

(photo from uptake.com)