Groundhog Day is a tradition observed regionally in the United States and Canada on February 2 of every year. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early. In 2024, an early spring was predicted.
2022 celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, US
The groundhog (Marmota monax) is a hibernating rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels.
Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney, 2013
Shubenacadie Sam makes the winter prediction at Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, 2024
The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots.
The groundhog is a lowland creature of North America; it is found through much of the Eastern United States, across Canada and into Alaska.
It was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
Groundhog
Groundhogs stand on their hind legs to watch for predators.
Groundhog displaying its incisors
Groundhogs can climb trees to escape predators.