After our complete loss of our entire crop of garden vegetables, we wondered: what are groundhogs good for in the yard and garden?

We love all creatures and know that most also serve a roll in the biodynamics of wherever they’re living or growing. So we wondered if having these but critters around might have some benefits over the destruction they caused.

The scientific name for groundhogs is Marmota monax. To make sure we’re talking about the same creature, here are some of the common names in North America.

4 Groundhog Common Names

Groundhogs are known by several:

1. Groundhog: Describes the hog-like shape of the creature coupled with its habitat in the ground.
2. Ground squirrel:
3. Woodchuck: Derived from the Native American word “wuchak,” which described several similar animals.
4. Whistle-pig: Named for the warning whistle sound they make when threatened, combined with the body shape.
5. Land-beaver: A reference to their superficial resemblance to beavers in behavior and appearance.

These are the primary names you’ll encounter, though regional vernacular might have others. For instance, in some regions, some people call them ground squirrels. However that is actually a different creature.

Another member of the squirrel family, the ground squirrel, gets its name from its burrowing habits and terrestrial lifestyle. Unlike the groundhog, ground squirrels belong to different genera like Spermophilus, but both share the common trait of living and foraging on the ground.

Groundhog Scientific Names and Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
    • Subphylum: Vertebrata
      • Class: Mammalia
        • Order: Rodentia
          • Family: Sciuridae
            • Genus: Marmota
              • Species: Marmota monax

So What Are Groundhogs Good for?

Groundhogs serve multiple roles in the yard and ecosystem. They also have cultural significance in some societies. Here are some of the benefits of groundhogs, Marmota monax.

1. Ecological Importance:

• Soil Aeration: The burrowing habits of groundhogs can help aerate the soil. This can assist in improving soil health by allowing water, oxygen, and nutrients to penetrate more deeply.
• Predator-Prey Relationships: Groundhogs serve as prey for many predators, including hawks, foxes, and coyotes. By providing a food source, groundhogs help support and sustain these predator populations while helping to keep the groundhog population in check.
• Habitat Creation: The burrows they create can be utilized by other animals, either as homes or as refuges from predators, thereby protecting other potentially beneficial wildlife.

2. Cultural Significance: Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2nd in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. The tradition involves predicting the length of winter based on whether a groundhog sees its shadow. If it sees its shadow, folklore predicts six more weeks of winter; if not, an early spring is expected.

The origin of Groundhog Day dates back to ancient European celebrations of the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. German immigrants brought the tradition to the United States, where it evolved to involve the groundhog as the weather predictor.

3. Research Value: Hibernation Studies

Groundhogs are one of the few mammals that enter true hibernation. Studying their hibernation can provide insights into the process, which could have applications in medical science, such as understanding metabolic processes or considering possibilities for long-duration space travel.

4. Human-Groundhog Interaction

• Pets: While not common, some people do keep groundhogs as pets. They can be affectionate but also require a lot of care and understanding of their habits.
• Hunting & Food: Quite the opposite of the aforementioned, in some regions, groundhogs are hunted for food or sport.

5. Biodiversity

Every species, including the groundhog, contributes to the rich tapestry of biodiversity. Each organism has a unique evolutionary history and a role in the ecosystem. The more conscious and aware we can become of the earth and the roles all life plays, the better for all upon it.

6. Natural Pest Control

Groundhogs are primarily herbivores, feeding on a variety of plants. However, they may occasionally consume small insects, snails, and other garden pests. While they are not major predators of these pests, their occasional consumption can help in reducing the numbers of certain unwanted garden critters.

However, chances are they may create more destruction to your plants than any benefits they may provide with such pests. See What do Groundhogs eat for more on that.

7. Natural Weed Control

Groundhogs are herbivores, and their diet primarily consists of a variety of plants. This includes many types of weeds that might be undesirable in certain landscapes or gardens.

As groundhogs forage, they can help control the growth and spread of these unwanted plants. By naturally reducing the number of weeds, groundhogs can assist in maintaining a more balanced and desired vegetation in certain areas. This natural form of weed control can reduce the need for manual weeding or the use of chemical herbicides.

In addition to these points, it’s worth noting that every species has intrinsic value. Even if we can’t always quantify their direct benefits to humans, their existence contributes to the richness and complexity of our planet.

See our article and short video or the resident groundhogs devouring our garden in our article on What Do Groundhogs Eat?

If you do need to trap groundhogs from your yard or garden, we recommend the humane Havahart trap. You can read up on the best groundhog bait here.