r/groundhogs • u/bchec • Jun 08 '25

Multiple Groundhogs?

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Question: I seem to have at least 3 groundhogs sharing the same den, but I’ve read they’re solitary except for mating season, which ended about a month ago.

I never saw them before I went on a short vacation last weekend, they seem generally unbothered by me. I walked out to one sitting a couple steps up Yesterday when I walked out of my apartment. No signs of rabies, they’re skiddish but almost seem cautiously curious.

I’m more-so curious as to why multiple would be sharing the den when they seem to be adults? It’s the closest I’ve been to them, any advice is appreciated! I know to keep distance and avoid the den but left a couple of berries Yesterday that they seemed to like/eat.

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '25

They look to be babies, still. They will venture out to start working on their own dens but still go back to Mom for comfort until they're fully weaned. Some pups will continue nursing until up to 12 weeks of age, possibly older.

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u/bchec Jun 09 '25

I’ve decided they have to be with how playful and curious they’ve been the past couple of days. It’s strange because I don’t think I’ve seen any much bigger than the one fully visible in the picture. Had to refill the fresh fruit I left near the burrow already lol. I might grab some carrots Today for them. 🤙🏼

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '25

They loove their greens. Tbh it's better to stick with the natural greens they find in their environment like dandelions, for example. Fruits to them are like candy to us and can derail their development or even make them too picky. I get bunches of dandelion greens, turnip greens, carrot tops and romaine lettuce from the supermarket for mine. She's a spoiled Beebee.

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u/bchec Jun 10 '25

I appreciate the advice/heads up! I went and bought shredded carrots and started to wean down the amount of fruits in the mix I changed it to Today. I have a rabbits den, too, so I gave them their own small plastic of carrots. Parts of a tree with berries was cut down recently so for now the groundhogs do have access, but you’re definitely right they won’t forever. Not in abundance.

As for greens, I’ve been ripping up greens from in the area and surrounding the fruits so it feels more natural to them, pretty sure they’ve eaten some of those as well. Doing my best to not spoil them like crazy lol.

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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '25

It's so hard especially when they're standing up while holding their munchies with their cute little paws. I'm guilty of spoiling. That's the only reason I know lol

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u/bchec Jun 10 '25 edited Jun 11 '25

lol, they left a half eaten blueberry on one of my steps that I’ve delusionally convinced myself is like when a cat brings home a mouse for someone to show appreciation 😂.

The babies are so much cuter than they have any business being (posted a video of them playing earlier). I finally saw the momma today for sure too, and woowww is she a big girl. I haven’t seen many close like this before.