How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

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Woodchuck and groundhog are common terms for the same animal, the rodent with the scientific name of Marmota monax. Most closely related to squirrels, woodchucks actually can climb trees and also swim. 

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
About 700 pounds. Compared to beavers, groundhogs/woodchucks are not adept at moving timber, although some will chew wood. A wildlife biologist once measured the inside volume of a typical woodchuck burrow and estimated that -- if wood filled the hole instead of dirt -- the industrious animal would have chucked about 700 pounds' worth
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Woodchuck

What's so special about Feb. 2?

Celestially speaking, Groundhog Day on Feb. 2 is a "cross-quarter" day, about halfway between the winter solstice in December and the vernal equinox in March, and is celebrated in some cultures as the midpoint of winter. It's not far from the time many groundhogs end their hibernation anyway, around the second week of February.
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What's going on in that burrow?

In the winter, not much. Groundhogs go into profound hibernation, greatly reducing their metabolic rate, and their body temperature drops to just a few degrees above ambient temperature. Because their hibernaculum, the deepest portion of the burrow where they hibernate, is below frost line, that produces a body temperature as low as 39-40 degrees F.
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What's the wake-up call?

The groundhog's internal clock is believed to be affected by annual changes in the amount of daylight. Hormonal responses to cyclic changes in production of melatonin, a sleep-related hormone, are thought by some to be the signal to wake up.
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What's for dinner?

Groundhogs in the wild eat succulent green plants, such as dandelion greens, clover, plantain and grasses. They also are tempted by nearby garden vegetables. Woodchucks binge and purposefully put on weight in the summer, reaching their maximum mass in late August. They become lethargic and prepare for hibernation in October. By February, hibernating woodchucks have lost as much as half their body weight.

Original post: http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/96/2.1.96/facts.html

Sources: College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Mammals of the Eastern United States, Second Edi tion, William J. Hamilton Jr. and John O. Whitaker

See also: Mammal Fact Sheets: Woodchuck

Category › Nature up close

What's the Difference Between a Groundhog & Woodchuck?

Woodchuck and groundhog are common terms for the same animal, the rodent with the scientific name of Marmota monax. Most closely related to squirrels, woodchucks actually can climb trees and also swim.
.

What's so special about Feb. 2?

Celestially speaking, Groundhog Day on Feb. 2 is a "cross-quarter" day, about halfway between the winter solstice in December and the vernal equinox in March, and is celebrated in some cultures as the midpoint of winter. It's not far from the time many groundhogs end their hibernation anyway, around the second week of February.
.

What's going on in that burrow?

In the winter, not much. Groundhogs go into profound hibernation, greatly reducing their metabolic rate, and their body temperature drops to just a few degrees above ambient temperature. Because their hibernaculum, the deepest portion of the burrow where they hibernate, is below frost line, that produces a body temperature as low as 39-40 degrees F.
.

What's the wake-up call?

The groundhog's internal clock is believed to be affected by annual changes in the amount of daylight. Hormonal responses to cyclic changes in production of melatonin, a sleep-related hormone, are thought by some to be the signal to wake up.
.
What's for dinner?

Groundhogs in the wild eat succulent green plants, such as dandelion greens, clover, plantain and grasses. They also are tempted by nearby garden vegetables. Woodchucks binge and purposefully put on weight in the summer, reaching their maximum mass in late August. They become lethargic and prepare for hibernation in October. By February, hibernating woodchucks have lost as much as half their body weight.

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How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

About 700 pounds. Compared to beavers, groundhogs/woodchucks are not adept at moving timber, although some will chew wood. A wildlife biologist once measured the inside volume of a typical woodchuck burrow and estimated that -- if wood filled the hole instead of dirt -- the industrious animal would have chucked about 700 pounds' worth.

Original post: http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/96/2.1.96/facts.html

Sources: College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Mammals of the Eastern United States, Second Edi tion, William J. Hamilton Jr. and John O. Whitaker

See also: Mammal Fact Sheets: Woodchuck

Category › Nature up close

Something fun to do with the kids this summer

It’s been a very long, hot summer so far. Parents and grandparents may be looking for something to do with their little ones over summer break.

Aside from trips to the library, museums, theater and pool, it can be difficult to find interesting activities to keep kids entertained. Now might be the time to introduce them to the birds!

Feeding birds can be entertaining as well as educational. Begin by trying to identify the birds in your yard. Help kids look through a birding book. We have one popular Birds of Michigan field guide that is easy for beginning bird watchers. It is organized by the color of the bird. Simply remember the color of the bird and turn to that section to see the choices.

To get a closer look at the birds set up a window feeder or choose a simple feeder that’s easy to fill and clean. Birds don’t like to eat from dirty plates. It’s important to teach kids that a clean feeder helps keep the birds healthy. Wild Birds Unlimited - East Lansing also has the freshest seed that is blended to attract the widest variety of birds.

You could also set up a water bath. Baths not only provide clean water to quench thirst, baths also help birds maintain their feathers. A good part of a bird's day is spent just cleaning and grooming their feathers by bathing, scratching, and preening. It’s so important that it is often the first place parent birds bring their newly fledged babies.

   

Or take the Olympic Games Challenge

Birds vs. Humans

Birds have many special adaptations to help them live their lives. Some birds can fly long distances; some can dive deep into the ocean while others can run really fast.

How would you match up with birds in an Olympic Games challenge? Compare your best to the best that birds have to offer in the following categories:

1. WINGSPAN

A White Pelican has a wingspan of 8-9 feet, a Bald Eagle has a wingspan of 6-7 feet!

• I have a wingspan* of ____feet ____inches.

*Stretch your arms as wide apart as possible and have someone measure distance between the tip of your longest finger on each hand.

2. WINGBEATS

In 10 seconds, a hummingbird beats its wings 700 times!

• I can flap my wings (arms) _________ times in 10 seconds.

3. CONCENTRATION

An owl can stare for hours while hunting for prey!

• I can stare for _______minutes without blinking.

4. HOLDING BREATH

A cormorant dives deep in search of fish. It can hold its breath for about 15 minutes (900 seconds).

• I can hold my breath for _______seconds.

5. WEIGHT

At over 40 pounds, the Trumpeter Swan is North America's heaviest bird! The Australian Ostrich weighs in at over 250 pounds!

• I weigh _______pounds.

6. HEIGHT

The Australian Ostrich is almost 9’ tall!

• I am _______tall.

7. SPEED

A Greater Roadrunner can run at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour!

I can run ______ miles/hour. (use the chart below to determine your speed)

Run 60 feet and check calculations.

Finish time     

3.0 secs = 13.6 Miles/hour

4.0 secs = 10.2 Miles/hour

5.0 secs = 8.2 Miles/hour

6.0 secs = 6.8 Miles/hour

7.0 secs = 5.8 Miles/hour

8.0 secs = 5.1 Miles/hour

For more activities for kids go to:

http://www.wbu.com/pathwaysforkids/index.html

Category › Nature up close