Do Groundhogs Eat Snakes?

Do Groundhogs Eat Snakes?

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Believe it or not, groundhogs do not eat snakes. This, despite the fact that they sometimes sample meat (such as baby birds). Groundhogs are grain-eaters, mainly. In fact, hedgehogs are afraid of snakes, as these go for their young for a snack!

What Do Groundhogs Eat?

Groundhogs eat a large variety of things, from plants to bugs, to baby birds.

Their diet is fiber-rich and full of nutrients.

Take a look!

Plants

Groundhogs are primarily herbivores.

Groundhogs eat plants not snakes
Groundhogs eat plants

They eat a variety of plants – including many found in gardens and wild in yards, as well as in the wild.

See below!

  • Lettuce: This green is super-common in yards. If there are groundhogs around, it’d be no surprise if they tried some as a snack!
  • Dandelions: Full of healthy vitamins (such as A, C, and K), dandelions are another groundhog favorite. They eat the flowers and leaves alike, despite the bitter flavor!
  • Daisies: Did you know the groundhogs eat daisies? Perhaps you were thinking a larger animal was the culprit, like a deer. As a matter of fact, groundhogs love daisies, and will go out of their way to sample a few!
  • Clovers: Another plant that’s considered a weed (like dandelions), if you have a hungry groundhog, a generous helping of clovers should do the trick. Groundhogs love the sweet flavor, and clovers are also a great source of calcium and vitamin C!
  • Alfalfa: Next on this list is alfalfa, a green that many pets (such as rabbits and hedgehogs) are known to love. Above all, alfalfa is an invaluable source of fiber!

Fruit

Remember to moderate fruit in a pet groundhog’s diet.

Groundhog don't eat snakes
Groundhog looking for food

Along with the nutrients and fiber, fruit also contains a lot of natural sugar.

So, what fruit do groundhogs eat?

See below!

  • Apples: If they have access to fallen apples, a wild – or pet – groundhog will almost certainly consider them a snack! 
  • Cherries: Next on this list are cherries, which are packed with vitamin C and flavor!
  • Strawberries: Strawberries are a favorite among many critters, groundhogs included. They’re packed with vitamins (such as vitamin A) and antioxidants. As a treat for a groundhog, they will certainly do the trick!
  • Raspberries: Raspberries are also nutritious for groundhogs, in moderation. Like strawberries, raspberries are an excellent source of both vitamins (such as) and antioxidants. 
  • Blueberries: Next on this list are blueberries, which contain antioxidants, potassium, and heaps of vitamin C. They are nice and healthy for your pet groundhog or a groundhog yard visitor!

Vegetables

  • Squash: With their tough front teeth, groundhogs can make quick work of squash. They love the starchy flavor. It’s also an excellent source of vitamins C and A!
  • Celery: Surprisingly, groundhogs like celery. This is one of the less-flavorful garden plants, but groundhogs still enjoy it as a chewy source of fiber!
  • Carrots: Groundhogs are also smart enough to pull up carrots, oftentimes. They will eat both the carrots and the carrot-tops together!

Bugs

After plants, groundhogs will eat certain bugs and other tiny creatures.

Groundhog looking for food
Groundhogs eat bugs

These are a good source of protein.

See below!

  • June Bugs: If a groundhog has the opportunity, it will consider a June bug a tasty, protein-rich snack!
  • Grasshoppers: Another excellent source of protein for groundhogs is grasshoppers. They can be tricky to catch, but most groundhogs will readily view a grasshopper as a snack!
  • Snails: With their super-fragile shells, snails are quite easy for groundhogs to eat. In fact, snails are one of their main sources of protein. For those who dislike snails in their garden, this could make groundhogs a winner!
  • Crickets: Although harder to catch, groundhogs make quick work of crickets. These are another excellent source of protein, and quite suitable as a snack!
  • Grubs: Grubs serve as a valuable source of protein for groundhogs. If a groundhog finds maggots in fallen fruit, then all the better!

Do Groundhogs Eat Snakes?

As a matter of fact, groundhogs avoid snakes.

This is because said snakes go for the young of groundhogs, posing a real danger!

So, not only do groundhogs not eat snakes, but they consider them a serious risk! 

If you enjoy seeing a groundhog and/or groundhog family visit your yard, you can always try some methods to keep snakes away.


For Example: you can soak some rags in ammonia and place them where snakes tend to appear. Or, make a homemade snake repellent out of cinnamon and clove oil. Some sprays of this should also do the trick!


What Can Groundhogs Not Eat?

So, groundhogs can eat a huge variety, but not everything.

There are plenty of plants and foods that can prove downright harmful.

Groundhogs eat vegetables not snakes
Groundhogs eat vegetables

These should never be considered or allowed for a snack.

They can be planted as a deterrent if you don’t actually want groundhogs about.:

  • Butterfly Weed
  • Foxglove
  • Catmint
  • Chives
  • Bleeding Heart
  • Fennel
  • Lemon Balm
  • Sweet Alyssum
  • Larkspur
  • Lavender
  • Lily-of-the-Valley.

Among all animals, lilies are some of the most toxic and deadly plants. You don’t want them within the reach of any critter!

How to Feed Your Groundhog

If you have a pet groundhog, you’ll want to feed them primarily alfalfa pellets and Timothy hay.

Bugs can be healthy but are not strictly necessary, and they will certainly appreciate some fruit or veggies as a snack! 

All that you need to do is portion the latter carefully. How so?

Offer only a few berries/a few slices of apple, etc.

Groundhog eating peanuts
Groundhog

Sugar-rich fruit should generally be considered a snack!

Once your groundhog has finished eating, make sure to clean up any food leftover!

Final Thougths

So, if you were wondering ‘do groundhogs eat snakes?’ you have your answer.

Groundhogs do not eat snakes, and in fact, fear them.

There are plenty of other things that they will eat, however!

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