Every February, we watch our good ole’ friend, Punxsutawney Phil, come out of his home and foresee our future- more winter or will Spring come save us from the cold? While we know what it means if he sees his shadow (six more weeks of winter), many people don’t know much more. How much do you know about Groundhogs day or even groundhogs in general? Here are some fun facts to help you better appreciate the day and Punxsutawney Phil.
- Phil is about 20 pounds and 22 inches long.is borrow is called Gobbler’s Knob, in Barclay Square. He lives there with his groundhog wife, Phyllis.
- Phil’s full name is “Punxsutawney Phil, Seer or Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary”.
- It has been mentioned that Phil was named after King Phillip and before being called Phil, he was called Br’er Groundhog.
- Several other states have their own weather predicting groundhog, like Georgia’s Gen. Beauregard Lee and Buckeye Chuck in Ohio. New York’s ground hog is called “Pothole Pete”.
- The first Groundhog Day was in the 1800’s. It started with Pennsylvania’s settlers who celebrated Candlemas Day which says that “If Candlemas be fair and bright, come, Winter, have another flight; If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, go Winter, and come not again”. Thinking that groundhogs were the most intelligent animals, they believed that they would carry on the legend of Candlemas Day. Groundhogs hibernate all winter, and their coming out of the ground is a natural sign of springs, so people would watch for them to determine winter’s end.
- Groundhogs live about six to eight years; however, Phil receives a special “punch” that gives him another seven years. His special drink is given to him by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle. They take care of Phil all year long and plan the big ceremony. You will see them on TV- they’re the men wearing tuxedos and top hats.
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