Fun Facts for Groundhog Day
February 2 brings the most-watched weather forecast of the year – and the only one led by a rodent!
Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil is not the only weather-predicting animal. Georgia has General Beauregard Lee, and Canada has Wiarton Willie. And Canada's Wiarton Willie is no ordinary brown groundhog – Willie is an albino groundhog who has been predicting when spring will arrive since 1956.
Groundhogs are also known as whistle pigs. When frightened, a groundhog will give off a loud sharp whistle, then softer ones as it runs for the cover of its burrow. Hence the name: whistlepig. Groundhogs are also known as marmots and woodchucks.