Groundhogs Are Lousy Forecasters but Valuable Animal Engineers—and an Important Food Source

Groundhogs are lousy forecasters but valuable animal engineers—and an important food source

Whether you call him groundhog, woodchuck, whistle-pig or use the full genus and species name, Marmota monax, the nation's premier animal weather forecaster has been making headlines as Punxsutawney Phil for decades.

Groundhogs are lousy forecasters but valuable animal engineers – and an important food source

Marmot chomping and digging can keep trees at bay and fields flower-filled. DieterMeyrl/E+ via Getty ImagesWhether you call him groundhog, woodchuck, whistle-pig or use the full genus and species name, Marmota monax, the nation’s premiere animal weather forecaster has been making headlines as Punxsutawney Phil for decades. The largest ground squirrel in its range, groundhogs like Phil are found throughout the midwestern United States, most of Ca…