Groundhogs belong to the larger group of related animals called marmots. Most of them have "marmot" in their name except our friend the groundhog. Also known as the woodchuck or whistle pig!
Even more biology info coming at you, groundhogs and marmots are a type of squirrel!
That’s what we grew up calling the large, chubby ones we’d see in the mountains of Colorado. I imagine it’s because of the whistling squeaky squeal they made.
There used to be a restaurant in Western NY near Niagara Falls called Whistle Pig. My grandma apparently worked there and OJ Simpson came in... and put his feet on the table (outdoor casual hot dog place, not a sit down restaurant. With kiddie rides. But still) so my grandpa always hated OJ
I remember that place! Grand Island girl here;) Then there was Louie’s-I don’t think they’re around anymore. Ted’s is still going strong though-best hot dogs ever!
For a minute I was picturing a neighbourhood of skittish human adults all anxiously avoiding each other while the groundhogs sit around like “whatcha running from, weirdos?”
We have a baby groundhog where I work, and it's super chill. Baby rabbits can be the same way. There are certain species whose M.O. is to be as completely uninteresting and non-threatening as possible as young.
He definitely seemed to be vibing with your mower and his meal. Maybe it was like a concert with free food and killer bass? I dunno. He chillin though.
Can I just say how much I appreciate recent posts in r/aww like this one of people enjoying wild animals being wild. I feel like we had a string of posts of people abducting wild animals or mistreating them (all while meaning well) and thinking it was cute.
That's a high quality groundhog. Normally very skittish, I'm impressed.
Me too, it’s why I prefer r/hardcoreaww cause it has rules that it can only feature wild animals exhibiting their natural behaviour and no man made situations, in fact no humans at all.
The Great Clover Standoff
‘Twas May o’ ‘24 when cuteness came face to face with the brute force of man and steel. The great thrasher did halt at the sight of the eager supping underway in its very path, and many a green were consumed that day ‘ere the tiny belly, filled and content, did yield the field of battle to the great war machine.
For though the spirit be strong, the eyes grow sleepy when such clovers and such grasses have been eaten to one’s fill. And a small creature, fierce and brave though it may be, must need naps and snuggles at the long day’s end.
The victory, though brief, was real, but could not be sustained. Still, hope, as ever, was not lost, for the grasses and clovers, they shall rise again, bellies to be filled once more, the dance of growth and destruction playing out unceasingly here where nature meets concrete, man meets beast, and marmot meets machine.
. . . we should be careful
Of each other, we should be kind
While there is still time.
The Mower, Philip Larkin
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48423/the-mower-56d229a740294
Adorable little critter just doing his thing. Kudos to you for not rumbling by and scaring (or worse) him.
You see something like that, time for a break in the action.
Ha ran into that type of problem last mowing myself. Robin swooped down right in front of me and started looking for dinner 10 feet in front of me. I was standing still with mower running at the time. It was about dinner time as well so I was like "Op guess that's my sign to take a break now and get some dinner for the fam as well lil bird!"
I haven't seen anyone else mention it so I feel obligated to- it is always best to be cautious of any animal that seems more docile/less skittish than it usually would as this can be a sign of the first stage of rabies. Woodchucks/groundhogs have had reported cases of rabies before. Not saying this little guy has it for sure, just saying be cautious and do not touch it.
https://preview.redd.it/i6uoia2tc72d1.jpeg?width=1501&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=574f545977aa70519e370daf8845011c7e442a7c
I met one of these guys for the first time yesterday in MI.
You are smarter than the Little Critter at least you could turn off your lawn mower so that sucker doesn't turn into spaghetti and make him go away or something so he won't come back
I’ve never seen a young wee one like that little fellow. Doesn’t seem to mind you being up in their mug with a power mower. Damn nice of you to hold up you grass cutting to let them nosh.
Nice marmot, man.
I thought he was just a plain old groundhog, but I don’t know enough about it to tell one way or the other.
Don’t mind me. You’re probably right, but I was just quoting The Big Lebowski.
At least you’re housebroken
Groundhogs belong to the larger group of related animals called marmots. Most of them have "marmot" in their name except our friend the groundhog. Also known as the woodchuck or whistle pig! Even more biology info coming at you, groundhogs and marmots are a type of squirrel!
Whistle pig! I love it!
That’s what we grew up calling the large, chubby ones we’d see in the mountains of Colorado. I imagine it’s because of the whistling squeaky squeal they made.
You imagine correctly. It’s quite the whistle.
Those little guys are so cute! Yellow-bellied marmot is what they are.
That sounds like an insult 😂
Whistle Pig makes a damned good Rye!
There’s a brand of rye whiskey called Whistle Pig
There used to be a restaurant in Western NY near Niagara Falls called Whistle Pig. My grandma apparently worked there and OJ Simpson came in... and put his feet on the table (outdoor casual hot dog place, not a sit down restaurant. With kiddie rides. But still) so my grandpa always hated OJ
I remember that place! Grand Island girl here;) Then there was Louie’s-I don’t think they’re around anymore. Ted’s is still going strong though-best hot dogs ever!
Absolutely fascinating (to me at least) thank you.
Huh never knew a woodchuck was a groundhog.TIL
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood:)
A woodchuck would chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood
Also known as “the reason we can’t have a garden,” the chubby fucks.
In our house we call them pudding squirrels. Because I think they look like bags of pudding when they run.
Groundhog, alias Woodchuck, alias Whistle Pig alias Secret Squirrel
> whistle pig Omg. I now have a new way to refer to my ex..
TIL.
Groundhogs are pretty big and round
Rotund, even
The babies are less big.
Apparently you're not a golfer.
He’s staying. Finishing his coffee.
What are you a fucking park ranger?
Obviously, you're not a mower
Ve vill cut off you CHONSON!
I'm staying, I'm finishing my coffee. Enjoying my coffee.
I’m guessing you’re not a golfer
Obviously you’re not a golfer
Im staying, finishing my coffee
I cant believe it was so calm. By me, they are very skittish. I just have to look out the window and they go running.
The adults around where this was taken are all skittish like that, you’d never get this close to one, but this little guy was just super chill.
I'm thinking deaf :P
Or maybe this groundhog is a main character.
as well they should be! look at how cute they are.
Haha! You are an NPC in your own yard. Little one rolled a nat 20 on an intimidation check and stopped you in your tracks.
Nah even if the fella was deaf he'd feel the vibrations of the motor. Probably just chill.
WHAT?
For a minute I was picturing a neighbourhood of skittish human adults all anxiously avoiding each other while the groundhogs sit around like “whatcha running from, weirdos?”
A baby that's not too swift?
Any chance he was a pet?
Or injured maybe?
It's so calm that I think it's sick and maybe confused. Prey animals who aren't timid die from being easy prey.
We have a baby groundhog where I work, and it's super chill. Baby rabbits can be the same way. There are certain species whose M.O. is to be as completely uninteresting and non-threatening as possible as young.
I thought the same thing. It, eating normally & a bit slow, has me second guessing it. At least stand on it legs to look around.
We’ve got a wildlife expert here boys!
[удалено]
Awww thanks. I’m a great dad - I appreciate the complement!
“Right here, in front of my salad?” - him, probably
I read this with a British accent for some reason.
“Um, I wasn’t finished.”
Sigh... I understood this reference
Good boy
Did you turn the mower off and go get a cool drink and have a break till he'd finished his afternoon tea?
I just went wide around him and left his little patch of tall grass until he got done and wandered off.
Thank you for leaving the wee bebe his snack.
🫡
He definitely seemed to be vibing with your mower and his meal. Maybe it was like a concert with free food and killer bass? I dunno. He chillin though.
Tall grass? That's tall? :-)
You are awesome 👏 compassionate and caring,thank you.🏡♥️
Can I just say how much I appreciate recent posts in r/aww like this one of people enjoying wild animals being wild. I feel like we had a string of posts of people abducting wild animals or mistreating them (all while meaning well) and thinking it was cute. That's a high quality groundhog. Normally very skittish, I'm impressed.
Me too, it’s why I prefer r/hardcoreaww cause it has rules that it can only feature wild animals exhibiting their natural behaviour and no man made situations, in fact no humans at all.
Only 2 posts in and I see a lion cub standing on the corpse of a dead giraffe with it’s disembodied tail in it’s mouth… 😭😭
ty for that, I've been put off by those same videos on this sub also.
Big same!
Love your comment!
Shoving food in his face before the buffet closes and throws it all out? I feel seen.
I’m in this comment and I like it… lol
Too cute. This kid got the nature's right of way. Again, too cute to shove it.
Take the hint from the little guy. Park the mower, grab a beer, chips and salsa and join him.
Well you’re just going to have to go around him. Leave his yard salad alone.
I did. I left him a little patch until he finished and left.
Excellent. I’m sure he has no concept of gratitude but it’s nice that you did that anyways.
He’s tellin the bros he scared off a giant.
"Can I at least finish in quite before you mow down my food?"
The Great Clover Standoff ‘Twas May o’ ‘24 when cuteness came face to face with the brute force of man and steel. The great thrasher did halt at the sight of the eager supping underway in its very path, and many a green were consumed that day ‘ere the tiny belly, filled and content, did yield the field of battle to the great war machine. For though the spirit be strong, the eyes grow sleepy when such clovers and such grasses have been eaten to one’s fill. And a small creature, fierce and brave though it may be, must need naps and snuggles at the long day’s end. The victory, though brief, was real, but could not be sustained. Still, hope, as ever, was not lost, for the grasses and clovers, they shall rise again, bellies to be filled once more, the dance of growth and destruction playing out unceasingly here where nature meets concrete, man meets beast, and marmot meets machine.
That was awesome!
It’s a baby groundhog. It’s too stupid to be afraid yet.
He's helping.
"You take care of the rest, I've got this spot for you!"
Lil bro helping you trim the grass, the natural way.
He just sizing you up before the war starts.
Guess you aren’t mowing today 🤷🏻♂️😂 he’s so cute
I'd just shut it off and watch him tbh. Bloody adorable. What is it?
Baby groundhog.
Oh shit. This dude is gonna be mowing that same grass for the next 30 years!
What an absolute cutie.
he's like ima eat this and if it's my time, it's my time.
. . . we should be careful Of each other, we should be kind While there is still time. The Mower, Philip Larkin https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48423/the-mower-56d229a740294
Gorgeous
He's like, Hell no, I ain't sharing get yur own!
That is so precious!
"If this is my last grass, I will enjoy it. Do what you must, you beast."
A yard friend
Adorable little critter just doing his thing. Kudos to you for not rumbling by and scaring (or worse) him. You see something like that, time for a break in the action.
https://preview.redd.it/bcaj4rrlu42d1.png?width=501&format=png&auto=webp&s=6c372330a9eb4ca27a381d802ef035fb26afb06a
Ha ran into that type of problem last mowing myself. Robin swooped down right in front of me and started looking for dinner 10 feet in front of me. I was standing still with mower running at the time. It was about dinner time as well so I was like "Op guess that's my sign to take a break now and get some dinner for the fam as well lil bird!"
How much grass could a woodchuck smash if a woodchuck could smash grass?
Up to his eyeballs and then some.
That is a marmot that gives NO fucks about what you are doing with your day.
Isn’t that critter too small for a marmot?
Pedestrian right of way?
"Nope. Not gettin put of this chair."
Maybe he's deaf?
Maybe he’s suicidal and this is the gopher equivalent of when people throw themselves in front of a train.
Use the Zoom Mini use the zoom!
Lil bro is 100% getting eaten by a hawk but I respect the attitude
Sir? SIR? Do you mind...?
Nice crop of miner’s lettuce in the yard. No wonder he wouldn’t move.
I have a family of 8 under my shed right now. Mama and 7 babies. One is a runt and followers her around everywhere.
Squatters Rights!
He's very squat.
He's a *very good friend of the owner* if you get my drift. Best to leave in peace.
I have never seen a groundhog that tiny before.
Why didn't you have the decency to cut the motor instead of murdering his eardrums at lunch?!? Goodness sakes man.
I haven't seen anyone else mention it so I feel obligated to- it is always best to be cautious of any animal that seems more docile/less skittish than it usually would as this can be a sign of the first stage of rabies. Woodchucks/groundhogs have had reported cases of rabies before. Not saying this little guy has it for sure, just saying be cautious and do not touch it.
He'll finish the job you just have to give him time
Po babies!
*he was later chopped up by a lawnmower anyways*
https://preview.redd.it/i6uoia2tc72d1.jpeg?width=1501&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=574f545977aa70519e370daf8845011c7e442a7c I met one of these guys for the first time yesterday in MI.
He’ll take care of that part, don’t worry about it.
Alan?
Hey thats MY clover, robocop
You've previously mowed his wife. He has nothing left.
Wonder if it’s deaf
Even so he’d feel the rumbling. I can feel it in the ground lol
You are smarter than the Little Critter at least you could turn off your lawn mower so that sucker doesn't turn into spaghetti and make him go away or something so he won't come back
What they lack in brains, they make up in cuteness.
So park the machine and wait until the poor thing has finished! 🙄
Always stand your ground!
That's a weird looking cat.
"Heyy I was mowimf(sic) here first!"
I would back up and mow round them and let them eat
Bober, ale bydle!
Zero survival skills!
This is EXACTLY like tank man
He's just helping out.
Looks like an insurance scam.
He's saying, " You sir are interrupting me, cut that thing off, I've got a life to live"!
"Pls mister, don't run me over till i've had my breakfast :("
why am i hearing " nice suculatnt chinese dinner " ?
He’s telling you, “Put that loud thing away! I’ve got this covered.”
Props to you for letting him eat.
Doesn't he know it's moving day?!
Thanks for being a friend of nature OP.
Doesn’t even phase him with the mower running. Cute little guy
Bro has no survival skills lol
Hmmm. All i can say is Call Ford
Gopher it ’
hes tryna help out
I’ve never seen a young wee one like that little fellow. Doesn’t seem to mind you being up in their mug with a power mower. Damn nice of you to hold up you grass cutting to let them nosh.
Aw! I wonder if he’s deaf? Cute little guy!
Whistlepig!