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Groundhogs are large ground squirrels who spend the winter in true hibernation. In our area they vanish early, usually by October, and often emerge while snow is still on the ground, if the weather is warm. They always look a bit befuddled when they see the snow! They are harmless creatures, although their vegetarian proclivities get them into trouble with farmers and gardeners who would dispute that "harmlessness". They seem to be either loved or hated (I'm in the Love Them camp), and this is unfortunate because it makes too many people deliberately cruel to these gentle animals.