2015 A GROUNDHOG FAMILY HEIDI, LUKE, AND THEIR OFFSPRING
Heidi arrived on our property in 2014. In 2015, she became the mate of groundhog Luke Groundwalker. Heidi had seven babies which were brought above ground on May 23, 2015. We are following Heidi and Luke as a mated couple and as parents, presenting a look into their lives via photographs and video. As we have observed with other mated pairs on our property, the relationship between mated groundhogs continues after the mating season, (assuming their survival) contrary to published literature.
May-June Luke & Heidi’s Babies
May 23- Up from the natal burrow
Upright baby under bush next to barn May 28
Baby makes it to front of barn May 28
Baby May 28
Baby May 30
June 2 Siblings
June 3, Four of seven babies
Luke & Heidi’s babies June 5
Upright Baby June 6
Babies June 8-25
Baby explores flats of unplanted flowers
Standing Up Eating
Baby on the deck
Can’t resist the phlox
Surveying from the deck
Relaxing in the yard
Babies June 29 – July 17
Baby guarding barn, June 29, 2015
Baby July 1
Baby July 2
Babies playing July 2
Siblings under the bird bath July 3
Baby chuck pillow July 5
Checking out plantain lily July 8
Tree climbing July 8
Siblings on a big rock July 17
Luke & Heidi & babies March – June
Luke March 11
Heidi March 20
March 26, Heidi gathers leaves
March 30 Luke on right, Heidi on left
Luke May 3
May 13 Luke
Mother Heidi, May 18
June 2 Heidi with a baby
Luke, heading back to the barn June 5
Heidi & Luke – June & July
Luke June 21
Heidi and baby July 15
Raggedy Chuck
Additional to Luke & Heidi, another grown chuck, named Raggedy, has been observed infrequently since March. Raggedy has a limp caused by a damaged right foot.Gender is still uncertain but Raggedy is thought to be a male. In July, interactions between Raggedy and some of Heidi and Luke’s offspring were captured on video.