I would like to know truthfully as it is something I dont know....Also, what is the significance of Groundhog Day and do you all get a public holiday to celebrate it?....(I would like to know to pass the knowlege on to my grandkids..thankx.)
2007-02-10 02:19:05 · 8 answers · asked by ozzy chik... 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
A ground hog is just a Canadian Beaver without the tail. LoL. Kidding. Anyway, on groundhog day, it is rumoured that when the groundhog comes out his burrow and he sees his shadow he will go back into his burrow and sleep. Then we will have another six weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, then spring is just aroung the corner.
2007-02-10 02:36:20 · answer #1 · answered by zzap2001 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A groundhog is a rodent, about the same size as a beaver. There is a holiday, but the only place that really celebrates "Groundhog Day" is Punxatawney, Pennsylvania. This is where Punxatawney Phil lives (he's a groundhog). On Feb 2 each year, Phil comes out of his hole in the morning. If he sees his shadow, there weather will be harsh for the remainder of the winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, mild weather.
Yeah, it's corney.....but it's cold here and we're bored.
2007-02-10 10:38:59 · answer #2 · answered by Albert 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Groundhog (Marmota monax), also called a Woodchuck or Whistle Pig, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Most marmots live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the Woodchuck is a creature of the lowlands. It is widely distributed in North America, from Alaska to Alabama and Georgia. In the western United States it is found only in Alaska and northern Washington.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog
Groundhog is another name for Woodchuck. This rodent is a type of marmot. These solitary mammals hibernate (sleep through winter) in burrows. Groundhogs are found in North America in forests and fields.
Anatomy: A groundhog grows up to 17 inches (43 cm) long. It has a tail that is about 5 inches (13 cm) long. This mammal has a bulky body and short limbs. The fur is brown-gray and the eyes are black. The hands and feet are black and have sharp, sturdy claws. Like all rodents, their incisor teeth continue to grow throughout their entire life.
Diet: Groundhogs/woodchucks are mostly herbivores (plant-eaters). They eat grass, seeds, leaves, flowers, fruit, eggs, and some insects.
Predators: Groundhogs/woodchucks are hunted by many animals, including wolves, dogs, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and humans. Groundhogs cannot move very quickly, so their best defense is to retreat into their burrows. Keen eyesight and hearing help warn groundhogs of predators approaching.
Classification: Class Mammalia (mammals), Order Rodentia (rodents), Family Sciuridae (ground squirrels), Genus Marmota (marmots), species M. monax.
2007-02-10 10:34:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
a groundhog is a little creature similar to a beaver or a hedgehog.
it burrows in the ground over the winter to hibernate.. it comes out of it hole when the weather is just right --- around spring time bbut... it has been a custom in the US for over 200 yrs to take the ggroundhog out of it hole (kinda cruel) and let it run back in- the myth is- if it sees its shadow there willl be 6 more weeks of winter left or if it doesn't there will be an early spring. the practice sstarted in the Northeast- state of Penn. -not exactly sure but it has something to do with a religious holiday that they practiced in Europe- it's a catholic holiday celibrated on Feb. 2 in which your bees wax candles are blessed. the holiday is for the day Jesus was brought to the temple for the first time. I don't know how the two got mixed together????
hope that helps!!
no references- just my memory
2007-02-10 10:27:22 · answer #4 · answered by Wild Honey 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A common burrowing rodent (Marmota monax) of northern and eastern North America, having a short-legged, heavy-set body and grizzled brownish fur. Also called groundhog; also called regionally whistle pig.
February 2, in most parts of the U.S., the day on which, according to legend, the groundhog first emerges from hibernation. If it is a sunny day and the groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of wintry weather are predicted.
2007-02-10 10:28:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well its something about if the sun came out February 2, halfway between Winter and Spring, it meant six more weeks of wintry weather.so the thing comes from if a groundhog pops out of his hole on feb 2nd and he sees his shadow that means sumthing about 6 more weeks of wintery weather.im not sure wether that is correct but i believe so.
2007-02-10 10:26:50 · answer #6 · answered by Just A Stranger 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's one of the larger sized rodents. Looks like a beaver only without the tail. It burrows like a hedgehog.
2007-02-10 10:29:39 · answer #7 · answered by Ricky J. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's a woodchuck
2007-02-10 10:23:57 · answer #8 · answered by shotze01 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋