Groundhogs may look cute and fluffy, but they can damage the crops in your yard, weaken your house’s foundation with their burrows underneath, and even attract predators like foxes and snakes to your compound.
So many people try to get rid of them from their vicinity when they see one. If you plan to do the same, too, then knowing more about them can help you in the process.
Some of the very common questions we come across for groundhogs are about their senses, like “Are groundhogs blind?”, “Do groundhogs have good eyesight and vision?” etc. Knowing about their senses and abilities, from their nose to eyes to ears- everything can help you trap them or make them go away.
Are Groundhogs Blind?
No, groundhogs are not blind; in fact, they have pretty good eyesight that they can even identify danger from about 250-300 yards away. Remember that these are small animals that live inside holes, so it is a very uncommon trait for such creatures.
Groundhogs can sense better than a lot of animals, and they scamper away when you try to take the first step toward them. We can say that their eyesight makes them smart.
It may come as a surprise to some, but groundhogs are capable of identifying danger quickly and taking appropriate actions to avoid it. This helps them hide from probable predators and avoid dangerous traffic situations. So, while catching groundhogs, there’s nothing more important than patience.
Also Read: Can Groundhogs Swim?
Are Baby Groundhogs Blind?
Yes. Baby groundhogs are born blind and deaf. They come into this world without being able to hear or see. However, they get the senses while they mature (typically at around three months), which can be why some people think that groundhogs are blind.
Woodchucks leave their parents soon after they get the ability to hear and see and start living on their own. They dig up new borrows and start living inside them.
So, though groundhogs are blind as babies, they get their eyesight when they mature. Their senses develop quite well as they age and grow.
Interesting Fact: A groundhog’s life span is around 3-6 years.
Can Groundhogs See Colors?
Yes, groundhogs can see and differentiate between colors. It is no joke if we say they may even have favorite colors. Some researchers argue that groundhogs prefer dark colors over bright colors.
So, chances are that they are more likely to stay in your presence if you’re wearing dark colors such as dark blues, purples, and blacks. This is why experts advise leaving these colors and wearing lighter-shaded clothes while hunting them.
Can Groundhogs See In The Dark?
Contrary to popular belief, groundhogs are not nocturnal animals. So, their vision is not that great at night. Some assume that these critters can see better at night for the fact that they leave their burrows in the early morning hours and sometimes even at night, but it’s not. These are diurnal animals but emerge at these hours only to escape dangerous situations.
Just like any other diurnal animal, groundhogs eat and work the whole day, but when the sun goes down, they sleep and won’t move much.
Also Read: Do Groundhogs Eat Oranges?
Do Groundhogs Have Good Hearing?
Yes, their sense of hearing is as good as their sense of vision. As groundhogs are prey animals, they should be on alert and always keep their senses sharp to survive. They have impeccable hearing skills that they can hear approaching danger, giving them enough time to find a safe place.
They can hear even if you are walking on grass 50 yards away and will run away from you. Burrows are their protection, but when they are away from their home and sense danger, then they quickly climb onto any nearby tree.
Along with swimming, tree climbing is another incredible yet mostly hidden skill of a woodchuck when it comes to safeguarding their lives.
Do Groundhogs Have Ears?
Yes, they have. People may question this because their ears are tiny, which is the case with the marmot family. They have black eyes and tiny eyes with advanced senses. They can hear cars, traffic, humans, and other wildlife who may find these rodents as prey.
Do Groundhogs Have Good Sense Of Smell?
Yes, groundhogs possess a great sense of smell. They can sense their predators nearby by smell. Woodchucks are capable of differentiating between different animals’ urine smells to decide whether the animal is a friend or foe. They use their sense of smell not only to find dangers, hide, and stay safe from them, but also to forage for food.
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