{"id":11982,"date":"2018-12-03T06:30:34","date_gmt":"2018-12-03T11:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=11982"},"modified":"2018-12-03T10:03:41","modified_gmt":"2018-12-03T15:03:41","slug":"take-5-where-did-all-the-woodchucks-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-where-did-all-the-woodchucks-go\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: Where Did All the Woodchucks Go?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Woodchucks (also known as groundhogs<\/a>) are among the few “true hibernators” found in Massachusetts. In late summer they begin to put on weight in preparation for the move to their winter dens, often located in wooded areas. From October through March, woodchucks settle in for a long snooze and turn their metabolisms waaaaay down to burn as little energy as possible. While hibernating, a woodchuck\u2019s body temperature drops from 99\u00b0F to 40\u00b0F, and its heartbeat drops from 100 beats per minute to 4 beats per minute! Visit our Nature & Wildlife pages to learn more about woodchucks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

They may not be conscious to appreciate it, but here are five photos of woodchucks from our Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest for you to enjoy.<\/p>\n

\"Woodchuck

Woodchuck \u00a9 Alyssa Mattei<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Woodchuck

Woodchuck \u00a9 David Zulch<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Woodchuck

Woodchuck \u00a9 Diane Lomba<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Woodchuck

Woodchuck \u00a9 Ronald Vaughan<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Woodchuck

Woodchuck \u00a9 M Leach<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Woodchucks (also known as groundhogs) are among the few “true hibernators” found in Massachusetts. In late summer they begin to put on weight in preparation for the move to their winter dens, often located in wooded areas. From October through March, woodchucks settle in for a long snooze and turn their metabolisms waaaaay down to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":11985,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[158],"tags":[295,273,83,84,294],"class_list":["post-11982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-take-5","tag-groundhogs","tag-mammals","tag-photo-contest","tag-photography","tag-woodchucks"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/11\/760Alyssa_Mattei17327.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-37g","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15170,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-groundhog-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":11982,"position":0},"title":"Take 5: Groundhog Day","author":"Ryan D.","date":"February 8, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Let's get real for a minute: living through a pandemic can sometimes feel a bit like the classic movie Groundhog Day\u2014reliving the same day over and over, never quite sure when we'll escape a sort of perpetual limbo. But unlike the anti-hero of that fictional Hollywood reality, we know that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Groundhog \u00a9 Debbie Lamb","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/02\/2233DebbieLamb7791-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/02\/2233DebbieLamb7791-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/02\/2233DebbieLamb7791-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/02\/2233DebbieLamb7791-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3328,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/seeing-chipmunks\/","url_meta":{"origin":11982,"position":1},"title":"Seeing Chipmunks?","author":"Stu","date":"March 10, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"While it's only a matter of weeks before we will be seeing chipmunks scurrying about, it's not unheard of to see one before spring sets in.\u00a0Unlike woodchucks and bears, chipmunks are not true hibernators. Animals that hibernate spend the months leading up to winter bulking up on high fat foods.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/03\/chipmunk_JustinMiel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1622,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-closer-look-at-groundhog-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":11982,"position":2},"title":"A Closer Look at Groundhog Day","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"January 28, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Every year on February 2, Americans turn their attention to a small furry little animal. According to legend, if the groundhog sees his or her shadow there will be six more weeks of winter, but if not, spring is on the way. The peculiarity of this tradition has earned it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/01\/msg.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10479,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/ground-truthing-the-groundhog\/","url_meta":{"origin":11982,"position":3},"title":"Ground Truthing the Groundhog","author":"Daniel Brown","date":"February 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"On February 2 at Drumlin Farm, the official groundhog of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Ms. G, looks for her shadow. This year, Ms. G saw her shadow, which, according to the folklore, means we\u2019re in for 6 more weeks of winter. But any skepticism you have about her methodology is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/02\/Groundhog_Drumlin600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/02\/Groundhog_Drumlin600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/02\/Groundhog_Drumlin600.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5716,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-kayak-adventures\/","url_meta":{"origin":11982,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: Kayak Adventures","author":"Rosemary","date":"June 29, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Nothing beats exploring our local waterways by kayak. These quiet crafts keep you close to the water, providing incredible views of nature. Photographers from past editions of our Photo Contest have captured the fun of these excursions. Browse our kayak trips for all experience levels and explore a new waterway\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/06\/Denise-Kergo-2012.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/06\/Denise-Kergo-2012.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/06\/Denise-Kergo-2012.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13783,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-painted-turtles\/","url_meta":{"origin":11982,"position":5},"title":"Take 5: Painted Turtles","author":"Ryan D.","date":"April 13, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A welcome and colorful sign of spring, Painted Turtles are already out sunning themselves after a long, cold winter spent buried under the mud at the bottom of ponds and lakes across the region. Each fall, as water temperatures drop, Painted Turtles, like many other reptiles, will enter a deep\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Painted Turtle \u00a9 Alyssa Mattei","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/760Alyssa_Mattei17320.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/760Alyssa_Mattei17320.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/760Alyssa_Mattei17320.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/760Alyssa_Mattei17320.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11982"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11982\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11991,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11982\/revisions\/11991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11985"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}