Can groundhogs carry rabies or be dangerous?

[was_peacemaker]

I have living around here a groundhog (thought it was a beaver at first), he is fairly big and kind of grumpy. I always thought they were related to the same marsupial family as opossums. Well...turns out I am not biologist and they are not in the same family with opossums. Yet, I have found conflicting reports on line on whether they can transmit rabies. I have heard they can be carriers but not transmitters and vice versa. The chubby little guy is a bit grumpy and his will make erratic vocal noises and if you walk by and area where is is hanging out he seems to go into SHTF mode. I normally have always ignored groundhogs, but now that I hear that they can carry rabies (which I thought they couldn't). I wonder if I should set a trap and see if I can't move him somewhere else. The weird thing is I have had groundhogs around before and most tend to run from humans, were this one acts like he wants to duke it out and does not show any fear of people. Like I said I have never seen a groundhog act like the Terminator before...I can't figure if he is for real or just putting up a show.

[FunkyPertwee]

Leave the fucker alone. Even if he puts his hand in his pocket.

[sevlex]

Leave the fucker alone. Even if he puts his hand in his pocket.

Maybe that's why peacemaker was worried about it being a marsupial.

[Kadmos]

The answer is yes, groundhogs can carry rabies and be dangerous.

All mammals can get or transmit rabies.

For the most part the logic is, how likely is the animal to survive a bite?

You don't tend to find rabies often in small mammals like mice, rats, squirrels, because generally anything that bites them will likely kill them.

Bats are a bit unique in this, plus tend to bite each other frequently, which spreads it better than most small mammals. But rabies in bats is still considered pretty rare.

Often groundhogs are mean little bastards, and are known to bite. Will fight with other animals and likely survive, which makes them much more likely carriers.

From the CDC website..

From 1990 through 1996, in areas of the country where raccoon rabies was enzootic, woodchucks (groundhogs) accounted for 93% of the 371 cases of rabies among rodents reported to CDC.

http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/animals/other.html

[FunkyPertwee]

The answer is yes, groundhogs can carry rabies and be dangerous.

All mammals can get or transmit rabies.

For the most part the logic is, how likely is the animal to survive a bite?

You don't tend to find rabies often in small mammals like mice, rats, squirrels, because generally anything that bites them will likely kill them.

Bats are a bit unique in this, plus tend to bite each other frequently, which spreads it better than most small mammals. But rabies in bats is still considered pretty rare.

Often groundhogs are mean little bastards, and are known to bite. Will fight with other animals and likely survive, which makes them much more likely carriers.

From the CDC website..


http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/animals/other.html

93% of infected rodents were groundhogs. But like you said, how many other rodents would be able to survive an encounter with another animal carrying rabies?

[AKM]

I think this asshole groundhog and your asshole neighbor are yankin your chain!

[Kadmos]

93% of infected rodents were groundhogs. But like you said, how many other rodents would be able to survive an encounter with another animal carrying rabies?

Exactly.

[was_peacemaker]

The answer is yes, groundhogs can carry rabies and be dangerous.

All mammals can get or transmit rabies.

For the most part the logic is, how likely is the animal to survive a bite?

You don't tend to find rabies often in small mammals like mice, rats, squirrels, because generally anything that bites them will likely kill them.

Bats are a bit unique in this, plus tend to bite each other frequently, which spreads it better than most small mammals. But rabies in bats is still considered pretty rare.

Often groundhogs are mean little bastards, and are known to bite. Will fight with other animals and likely survive, which makes them much more likely carriers.

From the CDC website..


http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/animals/other.html

Yeah I get you on the other small mammals like mice and such. This is the first time I have encountered a mean groundhog. Most of the time they want to run....but I think this little guy is the Groundhog heavy wieght champ. He is both fat and grumpy! LOL

[Dr. Gonzo GED]

Yeah I get you on the other small mammals like mice and such. This is the first time I have encountered a mean groundhog. Most of the time they want to run....but I think this little guy is the Groundhog heavy wieght champ. He is both fat and grumpy! LOL

It's a good thing you never leave your house without arming yourself to the teeth.
(Did it ever occur to you that it may be a female groundhog protecting it's litter?)

[was_peacemaker]

It's a good thing you never leave your house without arming yourself to the teeth.
(Did it ever occur to you that it may be a female groundhog protecting it's litter?)

I have had to go without carrying, I was on probation for a couple years and even was barred from applying for a CCW for 3 years. But technically could not carry open either.

Anyway, I have seen no babies and for some reason its different places that it pops up. One of the most recent is under the old F150. It likes to hang out there from time to time for what ever reason I do not know.

[Dr. Gonzo GED]

Anyway, I have seen no babies and for some reason its different places that it pops up. One of the most recent is under the old F150. It likes to hang out there from time to time for what ever reason I do not know.

Probably because it offers convenient shelter.

Mamals in general are kind of viscious and gnarly even without the rabbies. Oh shure they look cute, but they'll shred you to pieces faster than you can pull your arm back in horror! Fat ones like a groundhog? Forgettabout it! I'd rather wrestle a tweeker!

It couldn't hurt to call your local animal control and get some advice.

If its safe and legal in your area you could always, you know:

[studmuffin]

All rodents and similar species west of the mississippee are potential plague carriers. For some reason some consider groundhogs a fun pet. There has been at least one plague outbreak attributed to groundhogs from pet stores. Or was it rabies? Hmm not sure. But I would be hesitant to buy a groundhog as a pet.

[alismith]

Could he be grumpy because he saw his shadow (and didn't like how he's gone to pot over the years)?

[Ruskiegunlover]

Be careful. Little asshole is probably packing a gun. I mean, who the hell is HE getting an attitude at you for just walking by????


This place still cracks me up sometimes.

[raxar]

I think this asshole groundhog and your asshole neighbor are yankin your chain!

IT'S A 'SPIRACY!

I suggest you shoot the one that looks the most j00ish immediately.

[stinker]

Be careful. Little asshole is probably packing a gun. I mean, who the hell is HE getting an attitude at you for just walking by????

I actually have nothing intelligent to add here...

[Schuetzenman]

To give a straight answer ... yes they can carry rabies. Also every Ground Hog I ever saw would run fast as they could into their hole to get away from a human once they see the human. Their eyesight isn't so good. If it is not running away it has either lost it's fear of humans, (some dumbass has been feeding it) or it might have rabies. They are a rodent, just a big rat with a short tail. They can hit 20 lbs., sounds like yours is in this range of size.

[samiam]

He's getting ready to hibernate that's why he's fat and defensive of his den . . leave him be you'll see him again in the spring

[Zygomatic]

I have living around here a groundhog (thought it was a beaver at first), he is fairly big and kind of grumpy. I always thought they were related to the same marsupial family as opossums. Well...turns out I am not biologist and they are not in the same family with opossums. Yet, I have found conflicting reports on line on whether they can transmit rabies. I have heard they can be carriers but not transmitters and vice versa. The chubby little guy is a bit grumpy and his will make erratic vocal noises and if you walk by and area where is is hanging out he seems to go into SHTF mode. I normally have always ignored groundhogs, but now that I hear that they can carry rabies (which I thought they couldn't). I wonder if I should set a trap and see if I can't move him somewhere else. The weird thing is I have had groundhogs around before and most tend to run from humans, were this one acts like he wants to duke it out and does not show any fear of people. Like I said I have never seen a groundhog act like the Terminator before...I can't figure if he is for real or just putting up a show.

Your goofy posts about being dissed by your neighbor and groundhogs, and about carrying swords and giant Bowie knives would be pretty funny if I didn't think you were eventually going flip out and hurt somebody. Tick tick tick....

[l921428x]

Your goofy posts about being dissed by your neighbor and groundhogs, and about carrying swords and giant Bowie knives would be pretty funny if I didn't think you were eventually going flip out and hurt somebody. Tick tick tick....

Laughed so hard I blew bubbles, LOL!!!