Groundhog sees his shadow

By Lynn A. Wade

Herald-Tribune

Nevada, Mo. -- Friday was Groundhog Day. Nevada has no official representative of that species to consult, but chances are, we're in for another six weeks of winter, since mostly sunny skies probably meant if the shy creatures ventured outdoors, they saw their shadows.

Folklore has it that, on Feb. 2, the groundhog, a hibernating animal, emerges from his burrow to see if it's spring yet. If the groundhog sees his shadow, then the area's in for six more weeks of winter. If not, then it's spring.

Punxsutawney, Pa., has adopted Groundhog Day as its own, along with the world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.

The town first observed the day in 1886, according to the Punxsutawney Spirit, which said, "Today is groundhog day, and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen his shadow."

An 1841 reference to Groundhog Day from the diary of a storekeeper in Morgantown, Pa, attributes the lore to "the Germans," and numerous reference materials associate the observance with the Christian Candlemas, halfway through winter.

Phil has a long history marked with several significant events. For example, according to the Punxsatawney Phil official Web site, www.groundhog.org, Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he wasn't allowed a drink during Prohibition. He wore a yellow ribbon in honor of American hostages in Iran in 1981, and he appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show in 1995.

This year, Phil did not see his shadow, but only time will tell if Pennsylvania's in for an early spring.

Most groundhogs, however, lead a much less glamourous life, with the possible exception of other famous groundhogs, which include State Island Chuck, who makes his forecast at 7:30 a.m., EST, each groundhog day, at the Staten Island Zoo. Other famous groundhogs are "Brandon Bob" of Brandon, Manitoba, "Balzac Billy" in Alberta, "Shubenacadie Sam" in Nova Scotia, and "Gary the Groundhog" in Kleinburg, Ontario, and others.

Oftentimes, the non-famous groundhogs are considered pests, although wildlife experts say it's true that their hibernation usually ends near the end of February. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or whistle-pigs (they shriek when they are frightened or surprised), are abundant in Missouri, according to the University of Missouri Extension. A relative of the squirrel, the groundhog constructs extensive burrows which can damage crops and pose hazards to livestock.

According to John Hadidian, wildlife biologist and director of urban wildlife programs for the Humane Society of the Unites States, "People make a star out of a groundhoug over a myth about the relationship between shadows and weather, but they also make him a villain just a few weeks later."