fromwww.scientificamerican.com
1 day agoHappy Groundhog Day! Celebrate with 6 startling facts about these rodents
Since at least 1886, a groundhog now named Punxsutawney Phil has emerged from his burrow every Groundhog Day to predict when winter weather will end. Other groundhogs (Marmota monax) around the country have joined him in this climatological soothsaying. Folklore, likely stemming from Celtic mid-season festivals, dictates that if Phil sees his shadow, winter will continue for six more weeks, whereas if he doesn't, spring will come early. (Many people around the country are probably hoping that shadow doesn't appear after recent winter weather.)
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