(E.B.W.) Critter Corner: March 7/2018

Feature:

Cute Groundhogs (& Their Relatives) to Look Forward to in Spring

“…Groundhog

The groundhog is the most widespread marmot & can be found from Nova Scotia to Yukon. Despite their name, groundhogs don’t just restrict themselves to the ground; they can also climb trees & swim. Nicknamed whistle-pigs, groundhogs make peculiar noises, including a loud whistle when alarmed, a squeal when fighting or hurt, tooth grinding when cornered & barking.

Vancouver Island Marmot

The endangered Vancouver Island marmot is the island’s only marmot species & the only truly Canadian one, as it is found nowhere else in the world. Producing 5 different whistle sounds, the Vancouver Island marmot makes the most whistle sounds of any other marmot species.

Hoary Marmot

The hoary marmot got its name from the color of its fur (hoary means greyish-white). For hours on end, these rodents ‘wrestle’ each other, standing on their hind legs, putting their front paws together & pushing one another. They live along the treeline in the mountains of western Canada.

Yellow-Bellied Marmot

Yellow-bellied marmots, also known as rock chucks, can be found at high elevations in the mountains of southern BC…

Richardson’s Ground Squirrel

The Richardson’s ground squirrel occurs in grasslands in Manitoba, Saskatchewan & Alberta. Females are fertile for just 2 to 3 hours on one afternoon of one day each year. During this short period, each female mates with multiple males.

Artic Ground Squirrel

The Arctic ground squirrel is the only ground squirrel species found in the Arctic. It has large eyes surrounded by light-coloured rings, providing it with a wide field of vision, which makes it easier to detect threats. Its bushy tail is used for balance when running & jumping & as a blanket when sleeping. Twice a year, this species moults: in spring, it has a soft, reddish-brown coat & closer to winter, it has thick, grey-brown fur.

Northern Flying Squirrel

Contrary to its name, the northern flying squirrel doesn’t actually fly. Instead, it glides from tree to tree by extending a skin fold that stretches from its wrists to its ankles. Unlike other squirrel species, northern flying squirrels are nocturnal, using their large eyes to help them see in the dark.

American Red Squirrel

American red squirrels can be found in every province & territory. They gather between 2,000 & 4,000 pine cones & store them in middens (piles), which may be used by multiple generations. Believe it or not, these small squirrels sometimes eat young birds, mice, & rabbits. Some have even been observed biting into maple trees to get at the sap inside.

Black-Tailed Prairie Dog

Black-tailed prairie dogs are highly social, living in large colonies called towns, which have hundreds to millions of individuals. Every colony shares a complex burrow network, often covering around 250 acres (100 hectares) or more…

Eastern Chipmunk

Like many other squirrel family members, eastern chipmunks make various alarm & defensive calls, such as low chucks & repeated high-pitched chirps, trills, & chatters. Some research suggests that this species may use different calls for different predators.”