Groundhog Day: Fast Facts About Groundhogs (PHOTOS)

The weather forecast on the second day in February is the most-watched in the United States as this is when a groundhog wakes up from its hibernation and emerges from its hole. The legend says that when a groundhog sees its shadow in the morning, it signals six more weeks of winter. However, if there is no shadow, then spring is about to come.

The tradition for predicting the weather, now called Groundhog Day, dates back to 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pa., but the concept originated from the Germans, according to History.

Today, Punxsutawney remains the site where the main action is and where the most popular groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, is found. People will be waiting for Phil as early as 3 a.m., but he is expected to show for his forecast when the sun shines as 7:25 a.m., according to Hollywood Life.

However, several states across America will also observe their own Groundhog Day traditions, with groundhogs Gen. Beauregard Lee in Georgia, Buckeye Chuck in Ohio, French Creek Freddie in West Virginia, Smith Lake Jake in Alabama and Staten Island Chuck in New York, according to USA Today.

Meanwhile, biologists say that groundhogs don't actually have the skills to predict the weather and they're not emerging from their burrows to look for their shadows. That's a myth and the truth is they come out in early February to look for food and a mate after hibernation since mating season begins in March, according to CNN.

Regardless of what they actually do, here are photos of adorable groundhogs to kick off Feb. 2:

Tags

History, Myth, Legend, Hibernation, Cute animals, Holiday, Tradition, Pennsylvania