On February 2 -Two Animals Predict Spring's Arrival

Punxsutawney Phil, the furry forecaster, saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter for 2021. Phil delivered the unwelcomed news by seeing his shadow this morning. 

When sunshine prevails, the groundhog becomes frightened by seeing his shadow and retreats to his burrow. Then winter drags on for six more weeks. A German superstition says if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last six more weeks.

 

If Phil had seen cloudy skies, he would have left his burrow, signifying the end of winter soon. 

The California counterpart of Punxsutawney Phil, a desert tortoise named Mojave Maxine, predicts spring. Her claim to fame does not involve her shadow. On January 18 at 10:23 am, the 43-year-old tortoise came out of hibernation to indicate the nearness of spring.

Maxine's year of prediction involved awakening and toddling out of her burrow. Her body knows when to sleep based on the outside temperatures and the change in daylight hours.

At the Living Desert Animal Park in Palm Desert, visitors watched her trundle out. Each year a contest is held for students to guess the date and time Maxine will make appearance of the year. Student prediction contest: http://www.livingdesert.org/mojave-maxine/

Hurrah for at least one early prediction of spring.