Woodchuck
Marmota monax
Through physiological adaptation, the woodchuck hibernates to escape winter. Its body temperature will decrease from 37 °C to approximately 2 to 7 °C and its heart rate will fall from 80 to 4 or 5 beats per minute.
Reproduction
From 1 or 2 years old, mating takes place between late February and April. The 2-6 young are born between April and May after an approximate 30 day gestation period and are weaned after 2-3 months.
Alimentation
Herbivorous, feeding on herbaceous grasses, buds and small fruits, they also supplement their diet with insects, snails, and fledglings.
Prédateurs
Red fox, coyote, grey wolf, black bear, Canadian lynx, bobcat, cougar and certain birds of prey.
Longévité
Up to 4 to 6 years in the wild and up to 8 to 10 in captivity.
Forêt Laurentienne
