Groundhogs, sometimes referred to as “woodchucks,” are a common sight in the Virginia city of Lynchburg. They are members of the squirrel family that can often be seen popping in and out of their burrows, scurrying up a tree or perhaps wreaking havoc on one’s yard. What is not a common sight is one that has a white fur coat.
Groundhogs are known to have brown fur, but “blond” or white groundhogs have been spotted occasionally in various parts of the country, and they are now making their Lynchburg debut. “The first time I saw a white one, I thought (it) was a white cat ..
. it’s been quite entertaining watching them,” Lynchburg resident Edie Leamon, who began seeing two white groundhogs outside of her workplace in mid-May, said. “I was very interested when I read .
.. on Facebook that other people had seen them.
” A leucistic groundhog is not considered albino due to the regular, dark coloration of its eyes. White groundhogs have also been spotted in downtown Lynchburg as well as in areas of Campbell County and Roanoke. Generally, groundhogs are skittish and will flee from people who come close to them.
They prefer to dig their burrows in elevated surfaces such as hills or under covered areas as to avoid the holes filling with rain. Leamon noticed that her local white groundhogs especially enjoy coming to the surface of their resident hill after the grass has been mowed. One common misconception about these unique members of the species is that they have albi.
