![]() ![]() At the Ufferman Site in Ohio, groundhogs have unearthed countless artifacts from a village originally inhabited by Cole Native Americans. Groundhogs are also directly responsible for the discovery of two major archaeological sites. Groundhogs are one of the few animals that naturally contract hepatitis B, and by studying how the virus spread through a colony and affected the rodents, researchers were able to synthesize medicines and vaccines for combatting the disease. ![]() In addition to their ecological benefits, groundhogs have helped humans in some unusual ways. These predators hunt down mice and other agricultural vermin (even groundhogs!), which offsets some of the drawbacks that groundhogs pose to farmers. Even foxes and coyotes will use a groundhog den. Some of these are smaller creatures-such as chipmunks, shrews and voles-but they also attract larger predators like otters, weasels and snakes. Some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC).Even after groundhogs have moved away, other animals that can’t dig for themselves move into their abandoned burrows. Other animals, like this red fox, use groundhogs' burrows as a home. When a groundhog digs its burrow, it delivers organic matter deeper, providing food for microorganisms, and brings minerals to the surface-where plants reuse them. At the same time, other nutrients like iron, calcium and phosphorus gradually get leached from the topsoil as rainwater pulls them deeper. This material is full of carbohydrates that organisms such as worms and mites need to survive. Every year organic matter accumulates on top of the soil. Groundhog’s burrowing also helps nutrients mix into the soil. As long as the tunnels remain, oxygen will keep coming into the soil and helping plants. In unturned soil, roots deplete their limited oxygen while CO2accumulates, making it hard for them to ‘breathe.’ When groundhogs dig their burrows, they expose deep, compacted soil to the atmosphere, feeding them oxygen that sustains roots. Roots, like all other parts of the plant, have to respire, taking in oxygen and emitting carbon dioxide. When digging, groundhogs help aerate soil. ![]() Photo (c) Annkatrin Rose via iNaturalist. So, in celebration of Groundhog Day, let’s explore the ways in which groundhogs help make our world a better place.īaby groundhogs. Groundhogs' pesky habits often overshadow the benefits they provide to both the ecosystem and humans-even farmers and gardeners. In the rare cases, groundhog burrows can even undermine the foundation of buildings. If the burrows are beneath a field, they can cause the ground to collapse under the weight of tractors or injure an unsuspecting horse that accidentally steps into their holes. Groundhogs will dig right under protective fences that keep most other pests out. They don’t stop their voraciousness until winter, fattening themselves up to survive another hibernation. After emerging from their months-long hibernation, the malnourished marmots devour every plant they lay their eyes on. Some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).But along with the promise of warmer weather, groundhogs’ emergence ushers in a season of discontent for farmers. ![]()
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