September 19
...serving up your daily dish.
Our own Baristanet business mistress Laura Eveleth has a visitor in her backyard that has taken up permanent residence and appears to be forming a forbidden love connection with one of her cats. Only problem is, Laura doesn't know what the heck this new family member is. If you can, please name that critter.
September 19, 2005 in Help Your Barista! | Permalink
It's a groundhog! A wretched, plant eating, slow moving, no good groundhog! We endured a family of groundhogs for several summers -- they laid waste the backyard, ate the echinaceas out front, and took over the bird feeder (pushing the squirrels back into the trees (is that a good thing or a bad thing?)). But then, one fine summer day, a family of foxes moved into the cemetery out back, and so, no more groundhogs. No more squirrels either. Or chipmunks ...
Posted by: gbingr | Sep 19, 2005 11:26:15 AM
I believe it is a groundhog (or woodchuck) - Marmota monax. You could name it Mona, but be careful - they are the only rodents that can be rabid, and I would very much keep the cat away from it.
Posted by: Conan the Antiquarian | Sep 19, 2005 11:26:45 AM
ummm where does Laura live?....I want to make sure that thing doesn't end up in my garden.
Posted by: RidgeRanger | Sep 19, 2005 11:31:36 AM
Saw one of those waddling across Bates Ave just above Upper Mountain couple of weeks ago, totally oblivious to the fact that it could have been squashed by the multi-ton vehicles careening down that hill.
Posted by: crank | Sep 19, 2005 11:48:15 AM
groundhog-
i think they are rather cute-and very Bill Murrayish---who i always wished got lost in my translation:)
Posted by: cstarling | Sep 19, 2005 11:56:21 AM
I hope your cat is caught up on its rabies vaccinations.
Posted by: carol | Sep 19, 2005 12:37:43 PM
Soon there'll be a litter of groundcats and cathogs to be given away.
Posted by: Chris | Sep 19, 2005 12:57:48 PM
My wife has an adorable name for these critters ... she calls them "hedgy-moles."
Posted by: jonathan | Sep 19, 2005 1:01:11 PM
Sigh. City folk.
Woodchuck = ground hog = what you got there
Yes, they can carry rabies, but your pets are far more likely to encounter a rabid raccoon then a woodchuck. Beware if your dog corners one where it can't escape. They have nasty teeth and your dog is almost guaranteed a trip to the vet for stitches.
Posted by: The Prop | Sep 19, 2005 1:06:50 PM
This is much cooler looking than the possum that froze itself to death by jumping into the plastic bucket of icewater (previously the beer cooler) in my backyard a ways back.
I want one!
Posted by: Tom | Sep 19, 2005 1:18:58 PM
Laura,
If you want a harmless way to make the critters go away, find one of the holes to the burrow and leave an open dish or can of ammonia next to it. The fumes will seep into the burrow and they will leave within a day or two.
Posted by: Conan the Groundhogagrarian | Sep 19, 2005 1:28:31 PM
"You could name it Mona, but be careful - they are the only rodents that can be rabid, and I would very much keep the cat away from it."
If your cats go outside, they should definitely have their rabies shots.
Montclair is holding its free rabies clinic next Monday, Sept 26, at the Edgemont Park House (North shore of the lake) and the following Thursday, Sept 29 at the Firehouse on the corner of Harrison and Ceder (Southwest corner of Nishuane Park).
Dogs are to be vaccinated from 6:00-6:45 and cats from 6:45-7:30.
Posted by: Bitpusher | Sep 19, 2005 1:35:50 PM
Name That Critter?!
I vote to name him Gonzo!
(:-D)
Posted by: Gonzo Journalist | Sep 19, 2005 1:54:37 PM
Another suggestion for making the critters go away: I think Montclair may have a slightly used fake wolf looking for a new home.
Posted by: gbingr | Sep 19, 2005 2:04:26 PM
Better yet is to not let your cats outside! Too many risks out there, including animals, disease, cars, etc!
Posted by: butchcjg | Sep 19, 2005 2:04:54 PM
