There was a large crowd gathered near the abode of the groundhog Punxutawney Phil this AM, long before sunrise, as shown on the Weather Channel. When the time came, the man removed Phil from his shelter, and, LO! He didn't leave a shadow that could be seen ! Thus, an early Spring is indicated.
If Phil could think & talk, he'd likely say, "Why didn't all those punx stay home & lemme sleep? I don't bother them; why do they bother me ?"
This rite has been going on since 1887, in various forms.
The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck or whistle pig, is a large rodent, which can be a garden pest. They can be killed by large dogs. In captivity, they can live 12-14 years. While mostly herbivorous, they will eat insects & small animals they may encounter.
The legend started when, in days of old, German people saw some male hedgehogs emerge from hibernation on early February sunny days, to loog for a mate, only to soon retreat to their burrows til March. they began believing this signified 6 more weex of winter.(Actually, there was little for the GHs to eat; thus they went back to sleep.) When some of these Germans migrated to Pennsylvania, they shifted their allegiance to the groundhog, which was plentiful there, unlike hedgehogs.
'Nuffin wrong with people having a little fun ! Phil lives in "Groundhog Heaven" & is likely sound asleep again at the time of this writing !
If Phil could think & talk, he'd likely say, "Why didn't all those punx stay home & lemme sleep? I don't bother them; why do they bother me ?"
This rite has been going on since 1887, in various forms.
The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck or whistle pig, is a large rodent, which can be a garden pest. They can be killed by large dogs. In captivity, they can live 12-14 years. While mostly herbivorous, they will eat insects & small animals they may encounter.
The legend started when, in days of old, German people saw some male hedgehogs emerge from hibernation on early February sunny days, to loog for a mate, only to soon retreat to their burrows til March. they began believing this signified 6 more weex of winter.(Actually, there was little for the GHs to eat; thus they went back to sleep.) When some of these Germans migrated to Pennsylvania, they shifted their allegiance to the groundhog, which was plentiful there, unlike hedgehogs.
'Nuffin wrong with people having a little fun ! Phil lives in "Groundhog Heaven" & is likely sound asleep again at the time of this writing !
