Tradition dictates that if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2nd, there will be six more weeks of winter.Six more weeks wouldn't bother me. This has been a beautiful winter in the midwest.
So bring it on!
According to an article at National Geographic, "the groundhog, or woodchuck, is one of 14 species of marmots. These rodents live a feast-or-famine lifestyle and gorge themselves all summer to build up plentiful reserves of fat. After the first frost, they retreat to their underground burrows and snooze until spring, drawing their sustenance from body fat. While hibernating, the animal's heart rate plunges, and its body temperature is not much warmer than the temperature inside its burrow."
Some of the cartoon graphics are much cuter than the actual photos of the little critter. Not implying that the groundhog is not very photogenic. There are hundreds of great photos available.
I have a specific connection to the groundhog; my birthday is February 2nd, so I have been the recipient of friendly teasing about that. Now that I live around squirrels, I am pleased to have that association with the largest member of the squirrel family.
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