History of Groundhog Day Groundhog Day, a Canadian and American tradition, the day (February 2) that the groundhog, or woodchuck, comes out of his hole after winter hibernation to look for his shadow. Six more weeks of bad weather if he sees it; spring is coming if he cannot see his shadow because of clouds; supposedly goes back into his hole if more bad weather is coming, and stays above ground if spring is near; statistical evidence does not support this tradition. This tradition is from a old European belief that if it is sunny on Candlemas Day, then the winter would remain another six weeks. Candlemas Day was celebrated on February second and commemorated the purification of the Virgin Mary. Candles for sacred uses were blessed on this day. It is uncertain if this belief dates to pre-Christianity, nevertheless it was a common belief in a number of European countries during the seventeen century. The German started the belief of an animal (a hedgehog) frightened by his shadow on Candlemas Day would foretell that winter would last another six weeks. This belief was brought to America during the eighteenth century by German settlers. These settlers adopted the groundhog as their weather predicator. This lore grew popular in the United States during the late eighteen hundreds due to the efforts of Clymer H. Freas, a newspaper editor, and W. Smith, a American congressman and newspaper publisher. They organized and popularized a yearly festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. In which a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil was used to foretell how much longer winter would last. This very popular event is still being held and is called Groundhog Day. In Canada the name of the groundhog that is used to predict the length of winter is Wiarton Willy. SOURCE: COMPTON'S INTERACTIVE ENCYCLOPEDIA, 1995) Every species has a purpose. Groundhogs dig burrows that provide shelter for other wildlife such as rabbits and moles, which feed foxes and raptors. This serves the food chain, which is the chain of life. Reverance accepts this. Ignorance is destructive of what it doesn't understand. -- Lynne Charles Groundhog Facts The groundhog, known also as woodchuck, is a burrowing and hibernating mammal. The groundhog is a marmot (Marmota monax). Native to North America and commonly found in Canada and eastern United States. Description: The groundhog is a shy, reclusive animal that lives in empty fields. The groundhog has a thick and coarse reddish brown fur coat. Its has an elongated head with sharp rodent-like teeth. It has a squat body, short legs and a solid muscular frame. An adult has a length of 15 inches with a tail 6 inches long. Each paws has very sharp claws. The claws are used to dig and are used in combat when males fight to protect their territory and to determine which of them will mate with the females. During the latter part of summer and autumn it will increase its body weight by nearly 50 percent in fat to prepare for its long hibernation. The groundhog also gathers and places stores of food in their burrow for the winter months. The groundhog is mainly a herbivore, eating seeds, roots and other plant material. The groundhog has excellent eyesight. It has a very nervous disposition, ready to flee to its burrow at any sign of danger. Habitats: The groundhog prefers flat empty fields. They dig long and deep burrows. They lay dried leaves and hay in their sleeping chamber. The entrance of their burrow has a non-obstructive view of the sky and their immediate surrounding. They rarely venture very far from their burrow. Breeding: In the spring the males fight to determine which of them will mate. The young are born in the burrow and will remain inside for a month. Weaning occurs about one month afterward. The young are almost fully grown by the end of summer. Enemies: The groundhog's main enemies are eagles, snakes, bears, wolves, felines and man. Punxsutawney Phil The Official Groundhog Site Help Phil find his way back to bed Groundhog Day Books to Read Enjoy some fun stories from your public library while waiting for winter to end :) Hoggie Hoedown *Top 10* Reasons to Celebrate Groundhog Day 10. It's on nearly every calendar. 9. Helps relieve cabin fever. 8. Spring or not, it's six weeks till St Urho's Day. 7. Forecast is no less reliable than the National Weather Service. 6. At least one of them critters is bound to see things your way. 5. Valentine's Day is too depressing for nerds. 4. Unlike the Easter bunny, he keeps his dirty paws outside. 3. As they used to say on radio: "Only the Shadow knows". 2. It's fun to say "Punxsutawney". 1. If a rodent can bring us an early spring, more power to him. Here's a Little Groundhog (can be sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot") Here's a little groundhog Furry and brown He's coming up To look around If he sees his shadow Down he goes Then six more weeks Of winter snows. Groundhog Day Esther Kern Thomas It's doubtful if a time will come When folks can truly say They'd trade one day of sunshine For one of winter gray! To be a sunshine pessimist Or squint-eyed gloomy Gus When February skies are clear Seems too ridiculous. I'll take my day of sunshine now And chance the weeks to come; I'll plan, indoors, the lettuce bed And fall chrysanthemum. Oh, I'm anticipating spring But, if worse comes to worse, For six weeks I'll be glad I had A taste of sunshine first! Happy Groundhog's Day!