We have a groundhog family living under a corner of our house. The babies are probably about half grown. Mama got hit by a car last night (people in our neighborhood drive like maniacs! How do you miss seeing a 20 pound groundhog???). We think the babies are probably big enough to look after themselves, but we know Mama was still taking care of them, so we want to feed them for a while to be sure they get enough to eat while they're learning to get along on their own.

I found a Web site dedicated to groundhogs (woodchucks, to some of you) and apparently they eat pretty much what parrots eat -- vegetables, fruit and pizza. The site said they love pizza but it's not good for them so only give them a taste.

I don't want to try to tame them because they're already big enough to be afraid of us and they run when they see us and besides, the dogs and parrots would object very much to a groundhog or two living with us , but we can put food out by the entrance to their apartment under our house. Has anyone dealt with this? If we just put some stuff in a plastic dish or on a piece of newspaper or something and leave it for them, would that work? According to the same web site, by midsummer they would be self-sufficient and move on to dens of their own, anyway.

I would try it. It couldn't hurt. At least you will be making an attempt to try to help them.

I'm just throwing this out there and have NO idea whether it's valid, but my first thought was that by putting food out you may unintentionally be attracting predators to the site and the little woodchucks could be put in more danger because of it. I really have no clue what to suggest-- other than if you get a glimpse of the babies I'd LOVE to see them

There aren't any predators in our neighborhood that would threaten a groundhog. The only thing they would have any fear of is maybe a dog, and ours can't get to that corner in the front. My mom had a pet groundhog when she was a child, and she said hers chased their dog all over the house. Other than that, the only wild things in our neighborhood are birds and cats, and a cat who would take on a half-grown groundhog would have to be either really brave or really stupid. My money would be on the groundhog.

I would think your plan is just fine. We have a sort of similar problem with a young deer. In previous years there were four that would come and eat parsimins and other things in the yard. Then I didn't see them for a while, until this weekend when one of the little ones showed up. Its probably about a yearling now, but its all alone. I don't know what happened to the others -- can just imagine. This little fellow eats nuts and seeds we put out for the birds (and squirrels), but I just wonder if he will make it on his own. Good luck with your guys. Maybe we will both have good results.

I think what you are doing is really nice, I think it should work.

how sad i hope the babies will be ok.

We took some lettuce, carrots and broccoli out to the orphans and one of them peeked at us but none would come out. Hubby says there are three babies. We left enough for their supper and we'll see what they seem to like the best and give them more tomorrow. They've got quite a nice den under the corner of our house. They've made some tunnels and some rooms. We had possums under there one year, but Mama moved in last year and apparently evicted the possums and she came back this year. I wonder, now that she's gone, if one of the babies will come back next year and live there.

it would be neat to see. to bad u cant put a video cam around the nest. can u tell how big the babies are??

How cool!!!! Hopefully the little guys will make it

They're around half grown, maybe a bit less. I did some research online today and they're supposed to be on their own by midsummer. They're probably big enough to look after themselves now -- at least, they wouldn't starve -- but we'll feed them anyway to be sure. Hubby, especially, feels very bad about Mama getting hit. It's not like we could have helped it, but they're OUR groundhogs, you know? I call them all "Chucky" because I can't tell them apart and they all run from us, but it's hard not to feel responsible for furry critters that practically live with you. Their den is under our bedroom, so we can hear them under there at night arguing amongst themselves.

I'm not so sure I'd assume there are not potential predators. I've watched hawks move in to populated areas to feed and baby anythings become dinner. Raccoons can become attracted to what you put out too. Even if the coon doesnt attack the baby, the coon could carry rabies and infect the babies. Which could turn into an even bigger issue if those babies start becoming less afraid of humans. I'm not sure where you live but around here we have fox & coyote and the coyote are moving into town & causing problems. So be on the watch.

Its good you are watching out for them. I hate it when an animal ends up dead on the road. Sometimes the driver has little choice if the animal runs into the road at the last minute but sadly too many dont care. A ground hog can do some damage to the suspension if one is traveling at a good speed.