Ground hog

Groundhog Day

This holiday is celebrated on February 2 in the USA and Canada. According to legend, if a groundhog emerges from his burrow on this date, and sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. However, if he does not “see his shadow,” it is said that there will be an early spring. The tradition, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore.

  • The official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, lives at Gobbler’s Knob near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
  • The first Groundhog Day was celebrated in 1886 in Punxsutawney, where Phil did not see his shadow.
  • The predictions made by Punxsutawney Phil were correct 39% of the time. He has seen his shadow 97 times, not seen it 15 and 9 years are unaccounted for.
  • Many other states have their own Groundhog Day celebrations, as well as their own groundhogs. New York’s weather predictor is Staten Island Chuck. Texas uses an armadillo to predict the length of the winter.
  • Phil has entered into 21st century technology; you can receive his prediction via text message!

Other Nuisance Groundhogs

Phil and all other weather predicting groundhogs are very special animals and would never imagine causing damage to personal property. However, other wildlife, rodents and insects, can be real pests. When that becomes a problem, we’re here for you.

Groundhog Day: Fun Facts Serving Long Island and surrounding areas

Richmond | Kings County | Nassau County | Suffolk County

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