Challenge Question # 1

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The following information was gathered and written by Andy S. :
Woodchucks are the best-known hibernators among mammals. They are
the "groundhogs" which are said to come out of their hibernation on Feb.
2, but go back for six or more weeks of winter if they see their shadows.
Actually woodchucks go into burrows four or five feet (1.2 - 1.5 meters )
underground in Sept. or October. There they stay without moving until
about March in our region. The males emerge for mating purposes earlier
than the females and younger groundhogs, usually at 25 to 35 degrees. The
females and younger groundhogs emerge at 40 degrees. Photoperiod is the
length of daylight on biological processes. Males emerge with approx. 10
- 11 hours between sunrise and sunset. Females and younger woodchucks
emerge with 12 hours between sunrise and sunset.
When hibernating woodchucks become cooler and cooler, till their bodies
are only a little warmer than the air in their burrows. The animals also
breathe very slowly, while the beating of their hearts both slows down
and becomes irregular.If the weather becomes dangerously cold they
"awaken" move about and raise the temperature of their bodies. Any that
fail to do this freeze to death. Therefore, the greatest danger for such
small creatures is too big a drop in temperature of their surroundings.
Then there is a possibility that they may freeze, with ice forming inside
the body. hey must survive the winter conditions right where they are so
the temperature and the photoperiod are important for survival. The
groundhog of North America may remain active for most of the year in the
soutghern regions, but individuals in the north may hibernate for several
months at a time. I think cold is the most important factor encouraging
hibernation.
My sources for this report were: Mrs. Pat McConnell of the Division of
Fish and Game, and the Comptons Interactive Encyclopedia Edition 1996.

This information was found by Stephanie W,:
Groundhogs come out of hibernation in the middle of March in our area.
The photoperiod is about 12 hours because it is close to the Spring
Equinox.I think the temperature and photoperiod are important because the
groundhog eats only plants in the daylight and sleeps at night.
I found my information in Merit Students Encyclopedia and from talking to
my parents.

This information was found by James P.:
Groundhogs go into hibernation in our area in October and they come out
about four or five months later depending upon the temperature. The
groundhog gets up when there are plants and leaves to eat.
I found my information in Wonders Of Woodchucks by Sigmund Lavine.I also
talked to adults.

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