At A Glance

Each year on Feb. 2 since 1887, thousands of revelers climb atop Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., (northcentral part of the state) to witness the prediction of Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog with the mythical ability of forecasting either an early spring or lengthier winter. With the help of his keepers and protectors, the tuxedo-clad members of the mysterious Inner Circle, Phil shares that annual prediction with the world from the heart of the region appropriately known as the Pennsylvania Wilds.

But just how much does the world know about groundhogs?

Groundhog Facts

• The average groundhog is 20 inches long and normally weighs from 12 to 15 pounds. Punxsutawney Phil weighs about 20 pounds and is 22 inches long.

• A groundhog's diet consists of lots of greens, fruits, and vegetables and very little water. Most of their liquids come from dewy leaves.

• A groundhog can whistle when it is alarmed. Groundhogs also whistle in the spring when they begin courting.

• Insects do not bother groundhogs and germs pretty much leave them alone. They are resistant to the plagues that periodically wipe out large numbers of wild animals. One reason for this is their cleanliness.

• Groundhogs are one of the few animals that really hibernate. Hibernation is actually a deep coma, where the body temperature drops to a few degrees above freezing, the heart barely beats, the blood scarcely flows, and breathing nearly stops.

• A groundhog's life span is normally six to eight years. Phil receives a drink of a magical punch every summer during the annual Groundhog Picnic, which gives him seven more years of life.

Here’s a link to a fun Groundhog Day craft that allows the kids to make their own Pop-Up Groundhog: www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/groundhogday/popuphog/

“At A Glance” and “Groundhog Facts” courtesy of www.groundhog.org.