White groundhogs? Rare animals popping up around Virginia. Here’s what makes them so special

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.”

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 albinism, the genetic trait that prevents humans, animals and reptiles from producing melanin. The lack or absence of this substance, which produces pigmentation in the skin, hair and eyes, is what leads to white coloring in these parts of the body.

While albino groundhogs do exist, it seems the white groundhogs hanging around Lynchburg are instead “leucistic.”

“Partial albinism cannot exist. This phenomenon is known as leucism, the partial loss of all types of pigmentation,” the National Park Service writes. “Leucism causes white coloration, white patches, spots, or splotches on the skin or fur. Leucism is also discernible from albinism because leucism does not affect the pigment cells in the eyes.”

The images that have circulated of the white groundhogs in Lynchburg all appear to show the animals having standard, black eye coloring. Apart from the animals’ unique fur hue, they behave like any ordinary groundhog — their striking blond coat will not stop them from feasting on your garden.

More information on groundhogs can be found through the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.