How old is Punxsutawney Phil? And why do we believe groundhogs? Where is NJ's rodent?

Juan Carlos Castillo, Asbury Park Press
·4 min read
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Groundhogs in the United States and Canada are ready to let us know how much cold weather we have left. They have been doing it since the 1800s when the tradition was born in Pennsylvania.

Here's what you need to know about the weather rodents:

What are the Groundhog Day events in New Jersey?

There will be no groundhog winter predictions in New Jersey. Milltown Mel, the only furry climate expert New Jersey had, passed away in 2022. Mel's wranglers are still looking for a substitute.

Nevertheless, there are a couple of events celebrating Groundhog Day in New Jersey.

Friday, Feb. 2

Groundhog Day Cupcakes in Rockaway- Decorate a furry cupcake to celebrate Groundhog Day at the Rockaway Borough Library from 4-4:30 p.m. All supplies will be provided. This is an event 6- -17-year-olds and registration is required.

Groundhog Day Jaunt in Jackson- Celebrate the day with a 3-mile forest walk. The event is organized by the Forest Resource Education Center, and registration is required. The walk is suitable for beginners and is set to run from 1-2:30 p.m. starting at 495 Don Connor Blvd.

Groundhog Day Hike at Smithville Park- If you are looking for a more challenging hike, this one will suffix. Hiking boots are recommended for this 4-mile trail that is set to start and end in the park's parking lot at 39 E Railroad Ave. The hike is schedule to run from 8 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. Registration is required.

Sunday, Feb. 4

Groundhog Day event in Alloway- The Obissquasoit Bowmen, an archery club, is hosting an archery event for children and adults from 7:30 a.m. through 2 p.m. There are going to be three ranges with three-dimensional fake animal targets and paper groundhog targets. Fortunately, no groundhog will be hurt. Registration is required. The event is free of charge for those 11 and younger, while there will be a fee of $20 for adults, $10 for those 12-17.

Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.
Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

What happens if the groundhog sees its shadow?

Once the groundhog comes out of its underground den early in the morning it will let us know how far away the end of winter is.

According to the tradition, if the groundhog looks at its shadow and then goes back to its den, there are six more weeks of winter left. But if he doesn't, an early spring is on its way.

How accurate are groundhogs' predictions?

They say it all depends on the groundhog doing the prediction.

For instance, Punxsutawney Phil, a Pennsylvania groundhog that started the annual tradition, is the most famous for his weather prediction capabilities. The groundhog club that takes care of Phil claims his predictions are 100% accurate.

But, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) did some research and found Phil's predictions not accurate at all. According to data compiled by NOAA from 2013 through 2022, Phil predictions were only 40% accurate.

Other studies haven't found consistency between groundhog predictions and what actually happens. Nevertheless, the tradition is still a fun one.

Bill Murray as Phil Connors, the weatherman in the 1993 film "Groundhog Day".
Bill Murray as Phil Connors, the weatherman in the 1993 film "Groundhog Day".

Who is and how old is Phil, the groundhog?

Punxsutawney Phil lives in a small Pennsylvania town he's named after. It's situated about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh.

According to the club that takes care of him, Phil is 137 years old, but the club's members actually ask for a suspension of disbelief on that tale. He's married to Phyliss, his beloved groundhog with whom he never had offspring.

Most groundhogs live up to 14 years.

Where do groundhogs live?

Groundhogs live in meadows, along forest edges, open fields, and sometimes in dense forests. They dwell in burrows, or underground tunnels they dig.

Besides being great diggers, groundhogs are also good swimmers and can climb tall trees.

They are commonly found in the Eastern and Central United States, Canada and Alaska.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro looks on as A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil last February before the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter. PETA is hoping to replace the 137-year-old tradition with a giant gold coin flip.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro looks on as A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil last February before the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter. PETA is hoping to replace the 137-year-old tradition with a giant gold coin flip.

Why do groundhogs come out on Feb. 2?

The midpoint of winter is on Feb. 2 or a day or two apart from that date. Around this time, groundhogs come out of their burrow looking for some company to bring to their den and spend the remainder of winter together, biology professor Stam Zervanos told National Geographic.

“At this time of year, males emerge from their burrows to start searching for the females,” the Penn State Berks professor said.

Once they find a partner they like, they “go back to their winter burrows and spend a little more time in hibernation," he added. And in March, they come out and mate.

So when groundhogs are looking at their shadow, they are probably asking themselves: "Where are the hot hogs at?"

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Groundhog Day: What happens if the groundhog sees its shadow?