Ask an Opossum

By MDC | January 1, 2023
From Xplor: January/February 2023
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Hi! I’m Phi, Xplor’s mail possum. I know a lot about nature. If you have a question, email me at AskPhi@mdc.mo.gov.

Q: Can groundhogs really predict the weather?

From Allie Rae, age 8

A: In October, groundhogs curl up in burrows to hibernate. They begin waking in February and spend more time aboveground as the weather warms. Legend says if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, we’ll have six more weeks of winter. But that’s nonsense! America’s most famous furry forecaster, Punxsutawney Phil, gets it right only four out of ten tries. You’d have better luck flipping a coin! Whatever a groundhog sees that day, it’s a safe bet the groggy guy just wants to go back to bed.

 

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