American Groundhog Day - 02 February each year
Groundhog day first started on 02 February 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  It is a popular tradition in the United States. 

It is the day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow.

The Groundhog is believed to be able to predict the weather … the onset of Spring … by whether or not it sees its shadow when it emerges from its burrow.

  • No shadow means an early Spring - if the day is cloudy and shadowless, the Groundhog takes it as a sign of Spring and stays above ground..
  • A shadow means Winter will continue for another six weeks. The shadow means that the Groundhog will return to its burrow.

02 February 2014:  The Groundhog predicted that it was NOT the onset of Spring, and returned to its burrow.

Picture
THE GROUNDHOG
A Groundhog is also known as a Woodchuck, a whistle-pig or land-beaver.  It is a mammal and a rodent and is from the ground squirrel group known as marmots.  
  • Can live up to 6 years, but averages 2 - 3 years.
  • Predators include cougars, coyotes, fixes, bears, eagles, wolves and snakes.
  • Are Herbivorous and at wild grasses and other vegetation, berries, grubs, grasshoppers, insects and snails.
  • Unlike squirrels, Groundhogs do not bury nuts.
  • Hibernate and often build a special 'winter burrow' for this purpose.
  • Swim well and excellent tree climbers.
  • Squeal and bark.
  • When frightened, the hairs f the tail stand straight up, mimicking a bush.
  • Has between 2 - 6 hairless young.
The Collective Nouns for Groundhogs is:  A repetition of Groundhogs.