by Melissa kay Bishop

Chucking wood is not the main occupation of woodchucks, but a casual pastime between digging burrows, destroying gardens, whistling at passers by, and predicting the weather.  This snaggle-toothed varmint and icon is otherwise known as marmot, whistle pig, or groundhog.

On February 2, the groundhog is the rodent of honor as tradition dictates.  At 7:25 a.m. under much pomp and circumstance, the swimsuit ready critter who has slept off his winter fat stores, emerges to an awaiting crowd.  The most famous place for this annual event is hosted by Punxsutawney Phil of Pennsylvania who has been the official groundhog since 1886. 

Huddled in the midwinter cold, attendees anxiously await Phil's appearance and to see whether or not he sees his shadow.  If he does, that means six more weeks of winter.  Since the auspicious date is the mid point between Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox, there usually are six more weeks of winter to endure.

This practice has ties that reach back to a time when people relied on nature for just about everything, including information.  In Pre-Christian Europe, February 2, was called Imbolc.  As Christianity spread, the day became Candlemas.  As German settlers came to America and congregated in Pennsylvania, with all their old-world traditions, the day has become simply known as Groundhog Day.

Around the country there are famous groundhogs that predict their region's hopeful spring forecast.  Although, Phil and his cohorts such as Buckeye Chuck from Ohio or General Beauregard Lee of Georgia, may feel a bit second hand to know that they are the American stand- ins.  In Germany, it was a hedgehog or badger that was used for the event.  Since these creatures are pretty scarce in Pennsylvania, settlers picked up the next best thing, the groundhog, as there were and are plenty.

Their territory is all over The United States, but in the Rocky Mountain region, their cousin, the yellow-bellied marmot takes over fields and gardens.  Where woods meets meadow is home to these creatures.  Open fields are where they binge on grasses, fruit, or their favorites clover or alfalfa, all summer long.  Well adapted to suburban areas, they delight over finding a good vegetable garden to decimate, which is what makes them a pest. 

Digging, rather than chucking is what they are known for.  Making tunnels under your plants is their sneak attack and it is also how they make their homes.  Although they have impressive teeth, it is their claws that are their main instrument.  If you have ever heard the sound of marmot claws on pavement as they scramble to get across a road, you know they are a serious tool.

A serious tool for serious business, as making a burrow is top priority for a woodchuck.  It is where they spend half of the year and remain near throughout all seasons.  Each burrow is designed with a flood gate and one-bedroom, one-bathroom accommodations.  It has been estimated that if a woodchuck's burrow was filled, not with dirt, but wood, it would be about 700 pounds worth of sawdust. 

Sleeping and living off the spare tire they accumulated over the summer, woodchucks emerge only when the shift in daylight hours occurs towards getting longer.  This elicits a hormonal response which cues their bodies to change their production of melatonin, causing them to wake up.  When the groundhog emerges, its first order of business is not to look for its shadow.  Rather, the spirit of St. Valentine seems to strike and set his heart on finding a mate.

Phil's prediction accuracy as to whether or not we will have an early spring is tenuous.  Usually, there is enough sun to cause a shadow and usually, we have six more weeks of winter.  But the day is reason to celebrate, because it means we have past the mark of darker days and are now moving toward warmer, longer days.  And what better spokesman to have than the rotund little guy who is as anxious as we are, to get out of the house and maybe find someone special.


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