Greg The Groundhog Ruled The Roost As A 'Little Farm Buddy' - But The Magical Visit Was Short-Lived

In 2023, Greg the groundhog made a splash on social media when he decided to show up on a small rescue farm, checking out the animals, getting in the way of the lawn mower, and buddying up to one of the farm workers. At the time, the clip garnered a whopping 60 million views, according to the rescue. So, on the third anniversary of his visit, it's no surprise that Cuddle Buddies decided to recap the encounter on their YouTube account.

The Cuddle Buddies anniversary post goes into a little more detail about the experience, as told by rescue worker April, presumably the woman who filmed the viral video. In the rescue's own video recap, you see Greg the groundhog wandering through the farm, saying hi to the baby goats and other adorable farm animals, and following a rescue worker named Brian around. In the end, the workers decided the groundhog was just being curious instead of needing help, and the little fella went off on his way, never to be seen again.

While the interaction only lasted about 45 minutes, the groundhog acted "like he owned the whole place," according to April, and helped raise awareness for Fabled Farm Rescue in Tennessee in the process. "Animals can sense good people," noted one person in the YouTube comments, as another added, "Greg is very secure with himself." Wherever you are now, Greg, we all hope you're living your best groundhog life!

When most people think of groundhogs, they think of Groundhog's Day, the annual North American holiday where a groundhog's shadow predicts if spring will arrive early or winter will last six more weeks. Perhaps that's because when people do see a groundhog outside of this event, they don't know what they're looking at, as groundhogs often get confused with prairie dogs and beavers (even though beavers can be quite large). It probably doesn't help that they also go by the name woodchuck, which is used interchangeably across North America.

Seeing a groundhog out and about is completely normal, as these chunky little mammals are daytime creatures, so they're usually busy eating and exploring while the sun is up. So, if one waddles across your lawn in broad daylight during non-winter months, there's no reason to worry, it's probably just doing its usual groundhog business. You'll likely see them most often in late summer and early fall as they spend their time eating up a storm before their winter hibernation.

Of course, as cute as they are, frequent visits can become less charming when your garden starts looking like a picked-over salad bar with chewed plants, tossed dirt, or even burrows. Just remember, these visits simply mean your furry neighbor is out doing what groundhogs are supposed to be doing — surviving! While you probably shouldn't try to pat a wild groundhog, here's a look at some of the friendliest wild animals that love humans.

If you encounter an injured or sick wild animal, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for help. To find assistance in your area, visit the Humane Society of the United States website or Animal Help Now's online directory.