Well Phil, what's the forecast?

Groundhogs are the squirrel family’s largest member.

They aren't just any rodent, they're a particularly chonky squirrel. Impressed yet? Perhaps their stout build is what helps exude an air of confidence as they predict six weeks of our future. One might say that rodents of smaller size live in the shadow of the great Punxsutawney Phil.

Groundhogs are also called woodchucks.

Nobody seems to know how much wood a woodchuck would chuck or even if a woodchuck could chuck wood, all of which seems irrelevant to forecasting the weather. It is however, a skill that may come in handy when they dig their expansive burrows. They have to have somewhere to go if there is going to be six more weeks of winter! Their wild neighbors appreciate their construction skills too. Did you know that empty woodchuck burrows are commonly used by a wide variety of other denning wildlife such as opossums, raccoons, foxes, and skunks?

Groundhogs are one of just a few true hibernators in Maine.

Not even bears make this list, but meadow jumping mice and some bats do! With a reduced metabolism, slow heart rate and respiration, and a body temperature less than half of normal all winter, they have clearly not been focused on the latest weather patterns. You know that foggy feeling you have when you wake up suddenly from a deep sleep? Imagine that after several months of being practically comatose! But sure, let's trust their deductive reasoning skills.

Groundhogs are herbivores.

We wouldn't be surprised to learn that groundhogs spend the winter dreaming of a spring menu of grasses, dandelions, and clover. With so many delicious fine dining opportunities promised by April showers and May flowers, surely they have a bias toward spring. Seeing his shadow may be bad enough news to trigger the high-pitched alarm call that gives the groundhog (woodchuck) yet another nickname- ‘whistelpig’.

Groundhogs have breeding on the brain this time of year.

When groundhogs wake up, finding mates is the top priority, and number two is more sleep. Males scope out dens with females, check on their territory, then take another nap before breeding season begins for real. Telling you whether or not to give up on ski season is probably third on the list at best.