By Staff
We all know about Habitat for Humanity where volunteers construct charitable housing for the needy. Well, Ma Nature has an identical program called Habitat for Mammalians. Her volunteers motives are less benevolent but the results are every bit as effective.
The Habitat for Mammalians is manned by woodchucks. Everyone from farmers to suburban dwellers curse the woodchuck for its incessant burrowing but they are welcome in the animal world. Currently there's a dandy 'chuck hole under the slightly elevated porch of the log cabin next to our house. If Woody is there he's deep asleep and oblivious to the goings-on but Hasenpheffer, our local rabbit, finds it a safe place to while away time waiting for me to put out his evening ration of corn. Just the other day I was surprised to see a raccoon come humping across the yard and ducking under the cabin porch in mid day. He obviously knew of this prime condo, too.
We may despise the woodchuck for its burrows but they are an indispensable to many animals. That likely explains why woodchucks are continually on the move, digging burrow after burrow as they go. It's all part of Ma Nature's plan to provide housing for many of her children. Back in my rabbit hunting days I always thought of the holes in the fence rows where the rabbits made good their escape as rabbit holes. Truth is, rabbits rarely dig holes. A woodchuck hole is perfect for them. They don't actually live in the burrows or use them for nesting but they know precisely where each and every one is when inclement weather sets in or when hawks, foxes, coyotes and humans come a-calling with evil intentions.
Typically raccoons prefer hollow trees for dens but many turn to woodchuck burrows instead. The underground bunkers are warmer and more predator proof than a hollow tree stump. Most any predator small enough to fit in the burrow the 'coon can whip the bejeebers out of. One animal heavily dependant on woodchuck burrows is the opossum. Opossums are solitary wanderers, rarely staying in one place more than a few days. The prevalence of woodchuck burrows ensures Mr. 'Possum can always find a motel no matter where he wanders. Ma Possum finds a chuck hole perfect for baby delivery, though she, too, soon moves on. Skunks, another one of nature's janitors, don't truly hibernate but their functions are limited during the cold winter months. Many, if not most, choose a cozy 'chuck hole to while away the days of deep snow and cold. In the fall garter and ribbon snakes often gather at designated 'chuck burrows for mass hibernation. Though not on Ma Nature's preferred tenant list, if it weren't for the sanctuary of a woodchuck hole few feral cats would be able to pull off their displaced existence.
A number of animals are capable of digging their own burrows but why bother when there's a handy woodchuck hole? Foxes are especially fond of 'chuck holes for shelter and birthing and rearing young. Should Mr. Chuck be present and sound asleep or awake and audacious enough to object Heir Fox gets a free home and dinner all at once. The foxes larger cousin and mortal enemy, the coyote also finds a 'chuck hole a good starting point for a den. With some judicious expansion it makes a fine nursery for Ma and the kids.
It's not surprising so many rely on chuck burrows. The deep tunnels with multiple entrances/exits are nearly predator proof. Should an undesirable come in the front door you can slip unnoticed out the back. Being far underground below howling winds, raging snows and frozen earth it's as warm as it gets.
There are even multiple sleeping chambers should things get crowded. That was handy in a woodchuck hole documented here in Michigan where a woodchuck, an opossum, a raccoon and a skunk were residing all at the same time. Who brought the cards and beer? Carpe diem.