Symbolically adopt our Groundhog, Chuck!

By far the Staten Island Zoo's most famous resident is our groundhog, Chuck!  When he isn't rehearsing for his big day, he can be seen with his friend Maple in the Children's Center.  When training with their keeper, they enjoy munching away on some yummy yams, bananas, and peanuts.  Join us bright and early every February 2 when he makes his yearly prediction!

Groundhogs, also called woodchucks or ground squirrels, are found throughout the United States, including southern Alaska.  They have adapted to live in almost any habitat, but prefer grassy pastures, small woodlots, and forest edges.  Fat sustains the groundhogs when they go in to a state of semi-hibernation throughout the winter.  Their body temperature drops almost to the air temperature in their den, and their heartbeat slows from 75 beats per minute to about 4 beats per minute.  Groundhogs are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN red list with a stable population.

$25 Digital Adoption

• Printable PDF Adoption Certificate
• Printable PDF Animal Fact Sheet
• High resolution jpg photo of your animal
• Recognition on our website for 1 year

Please include the name you would like to appear on the adoption certificate in the "Personalization" box.