How long is winter to a groundhog?

Groundhogs don't experience "winter" in the same way humans do. They hibernate for a long period, and their perception of time is different while they are in their burrows.

Here's how to think about it:

* Groundhogs hibernate for around 4-6 months: This is the time they spend asleep in their burrows, with their metabolic rate slowing down drastically.

* During hibernation, their biological clock slows down: They don't experience time in the same way as when they are awake.

* The length of "winter" for a groundhog is the duration of their hibernation: While they might wake up briefly on warmer days, they spend the majority of the cold season asleep.

So, while the winter season for humans might last several months, for a groundhog, it's effectively the length of their hibernation period.