Thursday, February 2, 2012

February 2: Groundhog Day

While the world celebrates the Wetland Day today 2 February, let us not forget that February the 2nd is also observed as the Groundhog Day.

Groundhog or the Woodchuck [ Photo: Alamy ]

Groundhog is a weather predicting woodchuck - as the myth goes a groundhog in the small town of Punxsutawney emerges in the morning to a throng of onlookers. If he spots his shadow and returns to his hole, it means winter will last six more weeks. If the groundhog does not see his shadow, an early spring is sure to come.

It is because of this particular inborn instinct that the groundhog has a day being observed in its name since 19th century in most European countries.

The name woodchuck is likely derived from a Native American term for what are now also called groundhogs. 

Read more about Groundhog and its 10 facts related to the the groundhog that people generally are unaware of at: Huffington Post

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