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From deleted224040/deleted (30,146)
on March 28, 2008 9:49:11 AM CDT
Ok, we're going to play a game. I will start it off. I will ask a question, someone, anyone respond. After you respond to the question, you then ask a question and then anyone answer their question and then leave a question... This thing could go on forever... or die pretty quick. Your question can be about anything! You'll get the hang of it. Let's go!
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Read 1,178 times
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From richk/Richard (4,530)
on March 28, 2008 10:25:53 AM CDT
Its grey here. How many roads must a man walk down?
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From tgrunau/Tom (3,839)
on March 28, 2008 10:27:28 AM CDT
The answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind!
Why does ice float?
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From wdeon/Wayne (8,931)
on March 28, 2008 10:39:08 AM CDT
Beer.
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
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From deleted224040/deleted (30,146)
on March 28, 2008 10:50:35 AM CDT
from wikipedia Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Marmota
Species: M. monax
Binomial name
Marmota monax
(Linnaeus, 1758)
The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as the woodchuck, land beaver, or whistlepig, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Most marmots, such as yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the woodchuck is a lowland creature. It is widely distributed in North America and common in the northeastern and central United States. In the west it is found only in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, and northern Washington.
* 1 Anatomy and behavior
* 2 Popular culture
* 3 Notes
[edit] Anatomy and behavior
The groundhog is the largest sciurid in its geographical range, typically measuring 40 to 65 cm (17 to 26 in) long (including a 15 cm tail) and weighing 2 to 4 kg (4.5 to 9 pounds). In areas with fewer natural predators and large quantities of alfalfa, groundhogs can grow to 80 cm (32 in) and 14 kg (30 lb). Groundhogs are well adapted for digging, with short but powerful limbs and curved, thick claws. Unlike other sciurids, the groundhog's spine is curved, more like that of a mole, and the tail is comparably shorter as well only about one-fourth of body length. Suited to their temperate habitat, groundhogs are covered with two coats of fur: a dense grey undercoat and a longer coat of banded guard hairs that gives the groundhog its distinctive "frosted" appearance. Like other sciurids, groundhogs have exceptionally dense cerebral bones, allowing them to survive direct blows to the head that would cripple other mammals of the same body mass. Groundhogs usually live from two to three years, but can live up to six years in the wild, and up to ten in captivity[citation needed]. Common predators for groundhogs include wolves, coyotes, bobcats, bears, large hawks, and owls. Young groundhogs are often at risk for predation by snakes, which easily enter the burrow.
The groundhog can dig up over 700 pounds of dirt, digging just one den, and a groundhog can have up to 5 dens at once.[citation needed]
Mostly herbivorous, groundhogs primarily eat wild grasses and other vegetation, and berries and agricultural crops when available.[1] Groundhogs also eat grubs, grasshoppers, insects, snails and other small animals, but are not as omnivorous as many other sciurids.
A nearly-motionless individual, alert to danger, will whistle when alarmed to warn other groundhogs.
A nearly-motionless individual, alert to danger, will whistle when alarmed to warn other groundhogs.
Groundhogs are excellent burrowers, using burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating. The average groundhog has been estimated to move approximately 1 m³ (35 cubic feet), or 320 kg (700 pounds), of dirt when digging a burrow. Though groundhogs are the most solitary of the marmots, several individuals may occupy the same burrow. Groundhog burrows usually have two to five entrances, providing groundhogs their primary means of escape from predators. Burrows are particularly large, with up to 45 feet of tunnels buried up to 5 feet underground, and can pose a serious threat to agricultural and residential development by damaging farm machinery and even undermining building foundations.[2]
Groundhogs are one of the few species that enter into true hibernation, and often build a separate "winter burrow" for this purpose. This burrow is usually in a wooded or brushy area and is dug below the frost line and remains at a stable temperature well above freezing during the winter months. In most areas, groundhogs hibernate from October to March or April, but in more temperate areas, they may hibernate as little as 3 months.[3] To survive the winter, they are at their maximum weight shortly before entering hibernation. They emerge from hibernation with some remaining body fat to live on until the warmer spring weather produces abundant plant materials for food.
Groundhogs are able to climb trees, and can be seen resting in the branches.
Groundhogs are able to climb trees, and can be seen resting in the branches.
Despite their heavy-bodied appearance, groundhogs are accomplished swimmers and climbers, and climb trees to escape predators or survey their surroundings.[4] They prefer to retreat to their burrows when threatened; if the burrow is invaded, the groundhog tenaciously defends itself with its two large incisors and front claws. Groundhogs are generally agonistic and territorial among their own species, and may skirmish to establish dominance.[1]
Outside their burrow, individuals are alert when not actively feeding. It is common to see one or more nearly-motionless individuals standing erect on their hind feet watching for danger. When alarmed, they use a high-pitched whistle to warn the rest of the colony.[5]
Groundhogs feed on a variety of plants such as grass, clover, and berries.
Groundhogs feed on a variety of plants such as grass, clover, and berries.
Usually groundhogs breed in their second year, but a small proportion may breed in their first. The breeding season extends from early March to mid- or late April, after hibernation. A mated pair remains in the same den throughout the 28-32 day gestation period. As birth of the young approaches in April or May, the male leaves the den. One litter is produced annually, usually containing 2-6 blind, hairless and helpless young. Young groundhogs are weaned and ready to seek their own dens at five to six weeks of age.
Although usually shy, groundhogs may forage near human structures.
Although usually shy, groundhogs may forage near human structures.
The groundhog prefers open country and the edges of woodland, and it is rarely far from a burrow entrance. Since the clearing of forests provided it with much more suitable habitat, the groundhog population is probably higher now than it was before the arrival of European settlers in North America. Groundhogs are often hunted for sport, which tends to control their numbers. However, their ability to reproduce quickly has tended to mitigate the depopulating effects of sport hunting.[2] As a consequence, the groundhog is a familiar animal to many people in the United States and Canada.
Groundhogs raised in captivity can be socialized relatively easily; however, their aggressive nature can pose problems. Doug Schwartz, a zookeeper and groundhog trainer at the Staten Island Zoo, has been quoted as saying "Theyre known for their aggression, so youre starting from a hard place. [Their] natural impulse is to kill em all and let God sort em out. You have to work to produce the sweet and cuddly. how fast can you type?
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From robinlmorgan/Robin (15,594)
on March 28, 2008 11:01:45 AM CDT
almost as fast as you can cut and paste, apparently! What would be your dream job?
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From rla251/Ron (6,465)
on March 28, 2008 11:24:00 AM CDT
Wealthy, photographer. Where would you live if you could?
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From apeture/Eugene (2,146)
on March 28, 2008 11:41:14 AM CDT
Reply to robinlmorgan/Robin
I'm now an old man, but if I were 18, a manager of a harem, with all of my private parts intact. How many airplanes do you own?
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From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104)
on March 28, 2008 11:48:11 AM CDT
haha...no...i don't have any airplanes...not even a toy one. Would you rather go snow skiing, hang gliding, or white water rafting?
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From apeture/Eugene (2,146)
on March 28, 2008 11:50:10 AM CDT
Reply to tvernuccio/Shelia
At my age, none of the above. Which sports do you like to watch, baseball, bullfighting or basketball?
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From bwsaloum/Bw (1,434)
on March 28, 2008 7:16:02 PM CDT
Most definitely Mary Ann! What do fish drink?
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From apeture/Eugene (2,146)
on March 28, 2008 11:48:36 AM CDT
Reply to wdeon/Wayne
Ask the woodchuck. He should know. How many cars do you own that run? (Note; I knew many mechanics that owned several cars; possibly one would run.)
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From zal/Zal (5,557)
on March 28, 2008 12:14:56 PM CDT
Peanut butter and Nutella, thank you very much. What the hell is Nutella anyway?
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From jaypi/Jay (40,798)
on March 29, 2008 5:08:10 AM CDT
Hazelnut spread with skim milk and cocoa. On whole wheat?
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From rla251/Ron (6,465)
on March 28, 2008 12:51:25 PM CDT
Depends, if I'm alone or with my wife. Canon or Nikon?
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From tgrunau/Tom (3,839)
on March 28, 2008 2:16:10 PM CDT
All's fair in love and war. How long is this going to go on?
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From robinlmorgan/Robin (15,594)
on March 28, 2008 3:03:20 PM CDT
Arby's! Why isn't there an Arby's in northwest Houston? (If you know of one, please tell me - I'm on HWY 6)
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From taketwo/Sue (2,230)
on March 28, 2008 3:17:11 PM CDT
It's the order of the universe. What is the meaning of life?
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From kyphotonut/Ralph (2,172)
on March 28, 2008 3:23:31 PM CDT
To give meaning to life.
Do you us your alarm clock on the weekends?
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From chosendawn/Dawn (5,135)
on March 28, 2008 4:02:53 PM CDT
Cats are more tender, with or without gravy? JUST KIDDING< DON"T EMAIL ME!
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From tangeledweb/Dan (4,299)
on March 28, 2008 4:21:25 PM CDT
Neither. I like Teryaki. What's the feminine version of, "Avuncular?"
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From rla251/Ron (6,465)
on March 28, 2008 6:07:32 PM CDT
The 2nd Star Wars, Why do we ask why ?
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From atescha/Ken (4,754)
on March 28, 2008 6:31:00 PM CDT
Because if there was no why then cows would fly. Half full, half empty?
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From rla251/Ron (6,465)
on March 28, 2008 7:02:12 PM CDT
Half Full, The left or the right when there are two entrances?
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From tgrunau/Tom (3,839)
on March 28, 2008 9:18:16 PM CDT
Wide angle, but I'm going on a diet on Monday. Oh I wonder, wonder who, da do do who, who wrote the book of love?
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From fotokiwi/Paul (4,713)
on March 29, 2008 4:18:25 AM CDT
to make us mad...what came first egg or chicken???
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From tangeledweb/Dan (4,299)
on March 29, 2008 6:30:45 AM CDT
Eggs. Especially for breakfast. They're easier to catch first thing in the morning.
Full beard ... or goatee?
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From deleted224040/deleted (30,146)
on March 29, 2008 8:27:09 AM CDT
full beards are out dated, but my best friend has a full beard so i'll say full beard... it ages him about ten years. if you had to choose, would you rather be an excecutioner, sniper or a mortician?
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From rla251/Ron (6,465)
on March 29, 2008 9:33:19 AM CDT
Sniper, because I love the candid feel to it, If the "Professor" on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in the boat?
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From kodiak/Ed (2,010)
on March 29, 2008 10:58:05 AM CDT
He was an electronics major not a carpenter. I can understand Ginger but did someone actually pick MaryAnn over Jeannie?
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From pandaportraits/Caroline (20,905)
on March 30, 2008 12:24:36 PM CDT
Because the nickel fell from between your knees. (LOL) How many photographers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
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From deleted224040/deleted (30,146)
on March 30, 2008 6:17:38 PM CDT
50, 1 to do it and 49 to stand around and say how they could have done it better or explained other methods to get the same result, or how he could have done it more creatively. your favorite rock band of all time?
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From pandaportraits/Caroline (20,905)
on March 30, 2008 10:33:50 PM CDT
(LOL, good one Tommy. I heard it was 11. One to take the actuall photo and 10 he can brag to about it. But I like your answer better.)
My favorite rock band of all times is Aerosmith?
Who's line is it anyway?
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From deleted224040/deleted (30,146)
on March 31, 2008 12:10:02 PM CDT
well, i guess if no one wants it, it's mine, i'll take it. what is the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
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From pandaportraits/Caroline (20,905)
on April 3, 2008 6:44:41 PM CDT
Charles XII of Sweden.
Lee's family is from China. They have 4 children. They are called La, Li and Lo. What is the name of their 4th child?
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From dulcimoo/Marc (2,271)
on May 20, 2008 10:15:28 PM CDT
Milky Way. I like Milky Way dark better then the normal ones.
Why the heck don't we have flying cars by now?
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From dynastyphotoinc/Devanshu (678)
on June 3, 2008 5:16:32 AM CDT
I've been busy, taking photographs, so havnt had the time to develop the flying car.
If need is the mother of all inventions, then who is the father??
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