Woodchuck

Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, are solitary animals, except for the few weeks a year when females have young, called kits. Females have one litter per year in underground burrows, usually in April or May. The litter usually contains 2-6 kits born blind, naked, and helpless. Their eyes don't open until they are about 4 weeks old. When they are 6-7 weeks old, they'll begin exploring outside the burrow. By midsummer, they'll be digging practice burrows and will soon leave to continue life on their own.

Tip: If a woodchuck kit is found wandering some distance from its burrow without its mother, it may be orphaned. Watch from a distance for an hour or more to see if it rejoins its mother. If you determine the kit is orphaned, it will likely have littermates that also need help. Continue searching the area frequently for up to a week to see if its siblings appear. Unless a woodchuck appears to be injured, sick, is walking in circles or falling over, or is known to be orphaned, it should be left alone.