Groundhogs do not simply crawl into their dens and hibernate, but rather they experience a series of torpor and arousal events throughout winter.

That way they have enough time to gain sufficient weight to survive their first winter hibernation. But why do groundhogs emerge in February, when mating won't occur until next month?

On February 2nd, groundhogs don’t emerge to predict the weather, but to predict whether their own mating season will be a success!

This morning (Feb. 2), a groundhog will not predict the weather. Anyway, what will groundhogs not kept in captivity for the sake of odd secular holidays do if winter conditions persist into March ...

Hibernation helps survival In my study area in southeastern Pennsylvania, the average date groundhogs emerge from their burrows is February 4. This fits the folklore and the timing of Groundhog Day.

As food supplies become scarce in the colder months, groundhogs burrow away as a mode of survival. But how do their bodies react to the harsh winter temperatures while they sleep? Groundhogs are ...

As food supplies become scarce in the colder months, groundhogs burrow away as a mode of survival. But how do their bodies react to the harsh winter temperatures while they sleep? Groundhogs are ...

As food supplies become scarce in the colder months, groundhogs burrow away as a mode of survival. But how do their bodies react to the harsh winter temperatures while they sleep? Groundhogs are ...

As food supplies become scarce in the colder months, groundhogs burrow away as a mode of survival. But how do their bodies react to the harsh winter temperatures while they sleep? Groundhogs are ...

As food supplies become scarce in the colder months, groundhogs burrow away as a mode of survival. But how do their bodies react to the harsh winter temperatures while they sleep? Groundhogs are ...

As food supplies become scarce in the colder months, groundhogs burrow away as a mode of survival. But how do their bodies react to the harsh winter temperatures while they sleep? Groundhogs are ...