Yesterday was Groundhog Day and for the first time since 2013, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, indicating the potential of an early spring for the US. If you’re tired of shoveling your driveway, this is good news.
Their ability to predict the future notwithstanding, groundhogs are cute, but tend to be bit destructive. Also called woodchucks, these small furry fellows weigh an average of 6-12 pounds and grow up to two feet long. They have a fairly short lifespan, living only 3-6 years in the wild. Native to the central and eastern US they are also found in Alaska and parts of Canada.
Their preferred habitat is an area where forest meets a meadow or field, and they spend the bulk of their time hidden within their complex burrows. Since they favor loose, well-drained soil, groundhogs irk farmers and gardeners with their tendency to eat through rows of vegetable and plant roots, as well as trees and even irrigation pipes.
The American version of Groundhog Day has its origins in Germany. In the Christian religion, Candlemas is observed on Feb 2nd, forty days after Jesus’ birth. It was said that clear skies on Candlemas meant an extended winter. German immigrants brought the tradition with them to the US, where it became an officially observed spectacle in 1841.
Since this animal is most active in spring and summer, this could explain how they became inexorably linked with a sign of the changing seasons. Check out this video of wild groundhogs in their natural habitat! Enjoy your early spring, North Americans!
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Featured Image from abdullah ali/Unsplash
