Groundhog Phil, America’s famous weather oracle, has become a father for the first time. His partner Phyllis gave birth to two healthy baby marmots. The “Groundhog Club” where the family lives was completely surprised, but is now working on a larger home for the rodents.
“We didn’t think this could happen in captivity because it never has,” Thomas Dunkel, president of the Marmot Association, told local station WTAJ. The four rodents live in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Here you can see the marmot’s offspring.
The new groundhog dad will be in demand as “Punxsutawney Phil,” especially on February 2, when he gives a weather forecast (see video above). To do this, he is lured out of his winter home at dawn. When the animal then sees its shadow, six more harsh winter weeks follow. If no one recognizes it, spring is near. That’s how it was this year.
Tradition for 138 years
The tradition is also known to the rest of the world since the 1993 American comedy ‘Groundhog Day’ with Bill Murray. The custom was probably brought to Pennsylvania by German immigrants; the 138th ‘Groundhog Day’ was celebrated this year in Punxsutawney.
In this tradition, the little marmots are unlikely to follow their father. According to Dunkel, Phil is given an ‘elixir of life’ to drink, which explains his longevity. His partner didn’t taste anything.
Source: Krone
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