According to a popular legend, a groundhog awakens from
hibernation and peeks out of his burrow on February 2nd. If he sees
his shadow, it means 6 more weeks of winter. If he does not see his
shadow, it means Spring is on its way. Groundhogs are animals that
hibernate in the winter. Hibernation means they go into a deep sleep.
When warmer weather comes, the groundhog begins to wake up. A
groundhog is also called a woodchuck.
Hannah N.
Groundhog Facts
Groundhogs are rodents.
They are members of the ground squirrel family.
They can climb trees and swim.
They make their homes in pastures, meadows, and woods.
Their teeth continue to grow throughout their lives.
In summer they eat enough to put on thick layers of fat.
From October to February they hibernate.
Groundhogs live in burrows with 2-3 levels.
They are expert diggers and fold their ears to keep out dirt.
They make a whistling song, so some call them whistle pigs.
Literature Links
Will Spring Be Late by Crockett Johnson
Fluffy Meet the Groundhog by Kate McMullan
Wake Up,Groundhog! by Susan Korman
Groundhog Day by Betsy Lewin
It's Groundhog Day by Steven Kroll
Gregory's Shadow by Don Freeman
What Makes a Shadow? by Clyde Robert Bulla
Me and My Shadow by Arthur Dorros
Shadows by Carolyn B. Otto
Groundhog Sites
Official
site of Punxsutawney Phil
