GROUNDHOG DAY

BUCKEYE CHUCK SAW HIS SHADOW!
6 more weeks of winter

On February 2, the state's official groundhog, Buckeye Chuck of Marion, stepped out onto snow covered ground and forecasted more wintry weather was in store for Ohioans. According to legend, if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of bad weather, and if he doesn't, that spring will be here soon.

GROUNDHOG DAY Pennsylvania Dutch brought the Groundhog's Day tradition to America in the 18th Century. February 2, also regarded as Candlemas, occurs half way between the first day of winter and the first day of spring. If the day is sunny, and the groundhog sees his shadow, the remaining six weeks will be stormy and cold. If the day is overcast, with rain or snow, so the groundhog doesn't cast a shadow, the rest of the winter will be mild. See more/Hear more: QuickTime WindowsMedia Real Video (144k)

The groundhog, also referred to as a woodchuck or whistle-pig, is a rodent related to ground squirrels and prairie dogs. It's stout-bodied, weighing up to 14 pounds, with reddish-brown or brown fur and black feet. While on average, groundhogs live for two years, some live for five or six. They're active during the day, feeding mainly on low green vegetation, such as grasses and leaves. They feed standing upright, on the look-out for predators, which often turns out to be farmers, who regard groundhogs as a nuisance for damaging farm crops.

Groundhogs make their dens in well-drained locations, seeking forest edges, areas of heavy brush, brushy fencerows, creeksides, and any undisturbed cover near farm land. A groundhog's enthusiastic digging gets it into trouble again with farmers, since the holes may damage farm machinery and building foundations. Dens are dug up to five feet underground and up to 30 feet long. A main entrance is supplemented with several "secret" entrances/exits to escape predators. The den contains several cozy rooms where they raise their young and hibernate.

The groundhog is a true hibernator, relying on body fat for winter survival. During hibernation (October to April), it rolls up into a ball with its heads between its hind legs and front paws together around its shoulders. The heartbeat slows, body temperature drops, and respiration decreases. It's in a deep sleep, waking only during the occasional warm spell in winter, and in spring. A groundhog can lose up to one-half of its body weight during the winter hibernation.