06/21/2026
Happy Father’s Day to dads of all shapes and sizes.
While there are lots of excellent hands-on fathers in the animal kingdom, the groundhog is
not known for its paternal instincts, at least not in the traditional sense. Pups—or
chucklings—are primarily raised in a burrow by their mother. Though not directly involved
with rearing offspring, groundhog dads can be fiercely protective of their families, chasing
off predators that get too close to the maternal burrow.
If you decide to take dad out for a hike in First State and encounter a groundhog, Happy Father’s Day to dads of all species, shapes and sizes.
While there are lots of excellent hands-on fathers in the animal kingdom, the groundhog is
not known for its paternal instincts, at least not in the traditional sense. Pups—or
chucklings—are primarily raised in a burrow by their mother. Though not directly involved
with rearing offspring, groundhog dads can be fiercely protective of their families, chasing
off predators that get too close to the maternal burrow.
If you decide to take dad out for a hike in First State and encounter a groundhog, remember to give it room and admire its chunkiness from afar. Groundhogs carry various diseases that can harm humans. If you get scratched or bitten, then you should seek medical attention as soon as you can.
Thank you, dads of the world, for being awesome, each in your own way.
