Magnus — the Groundhog
Born: Spring 2023 suspected
Arrived at WSWC: July 8, 2023
Sex: Male
Magnus arrived at our center over the Summer after he was found limping on the Rail Trail in Colebrook. Upon his admission, we didn’t find signs of external injuries, but he was showing signs of head trauma and a Raccoon Roundworm infection. He spent most of his time walking in circles and sometimes falling over.
We started him on medications right away, but he had likely spent too long untreated in the wild. Despite our best efforts, his balance did not return to normal, and he was lacking a crucial fear of predators. Since he was unable to regain some of his vital survival skills, he is unable to return to the wild.
However, during his time with us, Magnus has begun to share a big, goofy personality. We have also started the first steps of training with him so that he will be able to attend educational programs and booths.
About Groundhogs
Size: Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, usually weigh 4 to 14 pounds as adults with males being larger than females
Lifespan: In the wild they typically have a lifespan of only 2-3 years, but can live up to 8 years in captivity
Diet: Groundhogs are herbivores and eat mainly grasses, leaves, and flowers
Reproduction: Young groundhogs, called kits, are born blind and hairless, and they are cared for by the mother in their burrow with litters of 2-6 kits in the spring
Range: They can be found in the eastern part of North America in a variety of habitats that meet the needs for their underground burrow systems
Other Facts: Groundhogs are famous for their role in Groundhog Day, a tradition in which people believe that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on February 2nd and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter
