Today marks the 124th annual Groundhog Day celebration. Thousands of people gathered at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. to watch as the infamous Punxsutawney Phil completed his one day of work for the year.
It may be hard to believe that this tradition has continued for so long, but with it comes more than a century of history. The first Groundhog Club was started in 1887 by Clymer H. Freas, the city editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper. The Groundhog Club has been behind Phil and his festivities ever since.
With temperatures averaging in the teens, Phil spent the early morning hours in his heated, simulated tree trunk. Outside his burrow thousands gathered as early as 5 a.m. to partake in fireworks and live music before the big moment. Of the past 124 years, Phil predicted a longer winter 98 times according to the official groundhog day Web site. This may not be surprising when you consider that the National Weather Service shows Missouri's average low temperature remaining below freezing until June.
This winter has proven to be an unusual one with temperatures averaging below normal and snowfall amounts in the double digits. Another source of weather information, Harris' Farmer's Almanac, stated that winter would be colder than normal with December proving to be the coldest and snowiest month. If the almanac is any indication, winter weather will continue in February with periods of rain and snow possible into March.
So who is this Punxsutawney Phil anyway, and why does he know so much about how long winter's going to last? The groundhog, or marmota monax, has a number of other common names, including woodchuck. The average groundhog weighs in at 12 to 15 pounds, is 20 inches long, eats greens, fruits and vegetables and has a six- to eight-year life-span.
There is no reason why Missouri couldn't join in as a center of groundhog mania along with Pennsylvania. Wildlife Management Biologist Sean Cleary, who works out of the Missouri Department of Conservation's regional office in St. Joseph, says the animals are common here.
"They can be found statewide," Cleary said. "You can see them anywhere, and usually if you see one there are many more."
While you probably won't see a groundhog near water, they may be right outside your back door. The groundhog is a burrowing rodent and tends to live in a community environment.
"They are not water-loving but anywhere else is free game," Cleary said. "Typically they can be found in embankments or burrowed up against a foundation."
Groundhogs can be a problem in populated areas. While taking winter frustrations out on wild groundhogs is not an option, the Department of Conservation provides instructions on how to deter and trap the pesky rodents.
Under the Missouri Wildlife Code an owner may protect property by shooting or trapping wildlife that are causing damage. The animal must be reported to a conservation agent within 24 hours and disposed of in accordance with his instructions. Regardless of it's pesky nature the groundhog is here to stay. With the help of the Groundhog Club, Punxsutawney Phil will likely continue to predict the end of our winters for years to come.
Maryville, Mo. —
