The Children’s Museum’s new groundhog has been named, and is preparing for her role in the community.

Greg Westman, lead animal curator at the Children’s Museum holds Tulip. Photo credit: Melissa Cole

By Melissa Cole

Move over Punxsutawney, there’s a new groundhog in town. And she’s pretty cute.

Meet Tulip, a six-month-old groundhog and the newest animal at The Children’s Museum in West Hartford. The museum held a naming contest, and thanks to all who voted, Tulip was the clear winner, with Valentina coming in second.

Greg Westman, lead animal curator at the museum, said Tulip was hit by a car in August and sustained some nerve damage. She wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild, escape predators, and find food. Tulip went through some rehabilitation and is now in a permanent habitat at the museum where she’ll continue getting physical therapy. “We are hopeful that she will regain some of her mobility,” said Westman.

Tulip, the Children’s Museum’s new resident groundhog, enjoys her lunch. Photo credit: Melissa Cole

Tulip is now an ambassador at the museum, helping educate kids about native animals that live all around them. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, and whistle pigs, are common in Connecticut. They like to set up their burrows in fields or pastures on the edges of forests or wooded areas.

“A really interesting fact about groundhogs, specifically in Connecticut, is that they are our only true hibernating species.” Westman went on to say a common misconception is that bears hibernate in the winter, but they actually have periods of wakefulness. Groundhogs, however, sleep the whole winter through.

As far as what groundhogs love to eat, well, it’s all about the greens. They love spring mix, dandelions, and lots of veggies.”We love when people are able to donate some food to us too. We have a list on our website of  specific foods for our sanctuary animals,” he said. “Our animals here are very spoiled, we love spoiling them.”

Tulip’s lunch. Photo credit: Melissa Cole

And here’s a tip: feeding time is 3 p.m. daily, so that’s a good time to come and see Tulip, watch her eat, and maybe even get to pet her.

“We hope to make people care a little bit more about the animals that are working to survive here in our home state,” said Westman.

And something to look forward to – next Groundhog Day, Tulip may be doing some prognosticating of her own!

To learn more about The Children’s Museum, and all the animals there, visit their website.

Also, on Monday, Feb. 10, as part of its grand opening celebration, the newly-opened Just Salad in Bishops Corner is having a “Giveback Day,” with 1 dollar of every purchase donated to The Children’s Museum’s Wildlife Sanctuary.

Just Salad is holding a “Give Back Day” as part of its grand opening, that will benefit the Chidlren’s Museum’s Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo credit: Melissa Cole

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