The groundhog or woodchuck is also known as the “whistle pig”.
National Geographic photo.
I know that now, spending a few days waking up to their chatter while on a visit to family.
Surrounded by woods, streams and lakes, a colony of groundhogs, bigger than the family cats, have provided a new and welcome soundtrack.
After years of waking up to the street sounds of New York City (mostly traffic, delivery and trash trucks), my daughter has come to a peaceful place with a variety of wild animals.
Groundhogs have the ability to mimic other creatures; birds, dogs, etc.
But mostly, they communicate with each other. All day long.
vanbytheriver 
The link for the groundhog chatter that I included is not allowed here, can be seen on Youtube.
We have had a few singles around over the years, but never a colony. It must be fascinating .. As well as noisy 💕
At first, they thought it was birdsong…then they spotted them on both sides of their property. They are huge, but mostly harmless, according to their research. And…they were there first ! ☺
They were there first …. Always good to remember and show respect towards nature. I’m going to listen more carefully to “birdsong” from now on!
I want to whistle like a pig…
Ha ha. Sometimes, I already do…or so I’ve been told, Geoff. ☺
Now that would be worth the entrance money!
lovely…
Thanks so much. ☺
I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard them. That’s so interesting! I was talking to someone recently who was complaining about the damage they can cause, as well as chipmunks, and he said to put pieces of bubble gum by their holes… he said they eat it and it blows up in their stomachs and kills them! I don’t know if that’s true or not! We have some chipmunks tunneling under the front porch and my neighbor said to get rid of them as well… have to figure out what to do! Don’t think I’m into giving them the Bazooka treatment, though! lol
Oh, no. We have a resident chipmunk, but the hole is small and underneath a pine tree…no problem. Bazooka Joe would be appalled. ☺lol
You think so?! Yeah, not what he intended, I’m sure! 🙂
Awesome. I did not know this! ❤
Diana xo
Neither did I…fascinating stuff in the natural world, Diana. ☺
We don’t have those noisy critters where I live, but they live near my parents. I love the noise of wildlife. It feels good to be surrounded by and a part of nature. Cute post, Van 🙂
It’s funny … their guests from the city (who are immune to traffic noise) are freaked out about nature sounds. What we hear every day, we start to ignore. Thanks, Diana. ☺
Hmmmmmm, I like that. They communicate by whistling. Maybe we should try that. 🙂
It couldn’t be any worse. ☺
Good point 🙂
Cute little varmints. 🙂
So far, to them, cute. But over the next months/years ??? And their dog has not yet approached. We’ll see. ☺ Thanks, Julie.
I have quite a few critters around here but I don’t think I’ve heard this sound before. Very cool..:)
In Pa., we know of Punxsutawney Phil, the Groundhog Day forecaster, but no one ever heard him “speak”. ☺
Ground hogs can be much bigger than the family cat…and are recently. Good luck!
So far, all is good. Hope it stays that way. Thanks, DK. ☺
I didn’t know the nickname was the whistle pig! That’s a new fact for me!
That was new to me too, Jason, but I understand the nickname now. ☺
Love the imagery.
Thanks, Kitt. ☺
I never knew they could mimic other animals Van 🙂 but then we do not have ground hogs in the UK.. but they look very interesting creatures.. and I used to wake up to crows crowing and rooks in their rookery when I grew up…
Wishing you a wonderful week 🙂 ❤
We live in Pennsylvania, where we have Ground Hog Day in February, to forecast whether there will be an early Spring or 6 more weeks of winter. ☺ It’s a very old tradition, but seldom accurate, Sue. Thanks. 💖
Yes heard of Ground Hog day and saw that film too 🙂 ❤
It’s so right to get. Acquainted with the animals.
Local wildlife…will not be ignored ! ☺
They were there first.
I’ve lived in close proximity to woodchucks most of my life, and never knew they could mimic!, how cool. You know they’re right — you learn something new every day!
Every day, Elyse. ☺
Super cute! I haven’t seen any here, never heard of any here, not sure about their habitat. I love my city critters though 🙂
Thanks, Joey. ☺ I’m afraid to ask about those city critters …hope it’s just squirrels and pigeons, maybe ?
Squirrels, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, chipmunks, mice and voles, birds 🙂
Good to know. I was thinking….rats. ☺
Ah, no, we’re not rat-infested here, even in the city proper, it’s good. 🙂
Interesting animals!
I wouldn’t want to get my fingers anywhere near that mouth. OUCH!
I agree. But, they seem to be pretty harmless for the most part. ☺
What a handsome little chap 😄
☺ It is a great picture.